Significant M5.8 Earthquake hit near San Cristóbal de las Casas in Mexico on Monday Night.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on May 5th, 2025. Last updated May 19th, 2025.

A significant M5.8 earthquake struck under land 25 kilometer from San Cristóbal de las Casas in Mexico in the night of Monday May 5th, 2025. Around 14 million people have been exposed to shaking. Another country near the epicenter is Guatemala.

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Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in Mexico, 25 kilometer (16 mi) south-southeast of San Cristóbal de las Casas in Chiapas. The center of this earthquake had an intermediate depth of 260 km.

Date and Time:	May 5, 2025 02:28 (Mexico City Time) - May 5, 2025 08:28 Universal Time.
Location:	25 km SSE of San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico. Coordinates 16°30'55"N 92°35'48"W.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 5.8 Detected by 51 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.043 .
Depth:	260 km (162 mi) An intermediate depth.
Max. Intensity:	IV Light On the Modified Mercalli Scale.
Tsunami Risk:	Tsunami very unlikely Tsunami's are usually caused by MAG-6.5+ earthquakes, less than 100km shallow, and with an epicenter under sea. Neither of this seems to be the case. Always stay cautious - More info here.

Minimal impact predicted

Based on scientific estimates by the US Geographic Survey (USGS), the risk of high fatalities for this earthquake is classified at level GREEN (low). They expect an 65% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 fatalities, and a 96% chance that the number of fatalities falls no higher than 10.

The USGS classifies the economic impact of this earthquake at level GREEN (low). They expect an 65% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 million US Dollars in economic damage and impact, and a 96% chance that the economic impact of this earthquake falls no higher than 10 million USD.

Roughly 14 million people exposed to shaking

An estimated 14 million have been exposed to shaking (An MMI or Modified Mercalli Intensity level II or higher) as a result of this earthquake according scientific estimates published by the USGS.

An estimated 4,692,000 people were exposed to level III. At this level, weak shaking and probably no damage can be expected. Intensity level II was experienced by the majority of people (around 10 million). In their region, very weak shaking and no damage can be expected.

People in 2 countries have been exposed to shaking. Roughly 9 million people were exposed to shaking in Mexico , with level III (weak shaking, probably no damage) as the highest recorded. In Guatemala , around 5.9 million people.

Nearby towns and cities

Mexico and Guatemala are both located within 300km distance of the epicenter of the earthquake. Futher away, this earthquake may also have been felt in Belize.

Teopisca in Chiapas, Mexico is the nearest significant place from the epicenter. The earthquake occurred 13 kilometer (8 mi) west-southwest of Teopisca. The intensity of shaking and damage in Teopisca is estimated to be around level III on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (weak shaking, probably no damage).

Multiple major population centers exist within 300km of the earthquake that struck today. Tuxtla is located 61 km to the west-northwest and experienced an intensity of III (weak shaking, probably no damage). San Cristóbal de las Casas is located 25 km to the north-northwest and experienced an intensity of III (weak shaking, probably no damage). Guatemala City is located 305 km to the south-east (intensity unknown, possibly low).

A complete list of nearby places is included below. Estimated intensity data (MMI) sourced from a shake-map published by the US Geographic Survey is shown where available (cities without data probably experienced little impact).

Overview of nearby places

Earthquake Intensity Map

The graph below overlays a map of the region around the epicenter with earthquake intensity data provided by the US Geographic Survey. The highest intensity level detected for this earthquake is III.

I Not felt

II Weak

III Weak

IV Light

V Moderate

VI Strong

VII Very Strong

VIII Severe

IX Violent

X Extreme

Shaking reported by 7 people

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 7 people have reported shaking in 7 places, all within Mexico.We keep updating this article as more ground reports become available. You may report that you felt this earthquake here.

Places with most reports:

• Pijijiapan, Chiapas, Mexico: 1 person.
• San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico: 1 person.
• Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, Mexico: 1 person.
• Teyahualco, México, Mexico: 1 person.
• Tlalnepantla, México, Mexico: 1 person.
• Atlixco, Puebla, Mexico: 1 person.
• Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico: 1 person.

2 Aftershocks detected

After this earthquake struck, 2 smaller aftershocks occurred. Just 23 mins after this main shock, an earthquake measuring MAG-3.6 was detected 69 km (43 mi) south-southwest of this earthquake.

Before this earthquake struck, 2 smaller foreshocks occurred. Nearby this earthquake a foreshock struck 1 day earlier. It measured a magnitude of 3.8

Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks

More earthquakes coming?

Aftershocks are usually at least 1 order of magnitude less strong than main shocks. The more time passes, the smaller the chance and likely strength of any potential aftershocks.

In only six percent of cases, significant earthquakes are followed by a larger main shock, making the current earthquake a foreshock. While the chance of this happening is not so large, it is adviced to maintain cautiousness in the hours and days following a major earthquake.

Earthquakes like this happen often in the region

Earthquakes of this strength are very common in the region. This is the strongest earthquake to hit since October 25th, 2024, when a 5.8 magnitude earthquake hit 272 km (169 mi) further south. An even stronger magnitude 8.2 earthquake struck on September 8th, 2017.

In total, 22 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.8 or higher have been registered within 300km (186 mi) of this epicenter in the past 10 years. This comes down to an average of once every 6 months.

Tsunami very unlikely

It is very unlikely that this eartquake will cause any tsunami's. The reported magnitude is lower than the MAG-6.5 strength required to cause any earthquakes. In addition, this earthquake was not very shallow and appears to have occurred under land. However always stay cautious and monitor advice from local authorities.

Tsunami Risk Factors

Sources

Last updated 19/05/25 09:28 (). This article contains currently available information about the earthquake and is automatically composed. We continue to update this article up to a few days after the earthquake occurred.

1. US Geographic Society (USGS): Earthquake us7000px7i
2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20250505_0000105
3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
4. Google Maps: Static API
5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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