Shallow M5.8 Earthquake struck on Wednesday Night in the North Pacific Ocean 197km from Tapachula (Mexico).

Written by Earthquakelist.org on June 18th, 2025. Last updated July 19th, 2025.

In the North Pacific Ocean 197 kilometer from Tapachula, Mexico, a shallow and significant Magnitude 5.8 earthquake occurred deep in the night of Wednesday June 18th, 2025. Roughly 2.3 million people may have felt this earthquake. Guatemala is also near its epicenter.

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Earthquake Summary

This earthquake hit under water in the North Pacific Ocean, 122 kilometers (76 mi) off the coast of Mexico, 197 kilometer west of Tapachula in Chiapas. The center of this earthquake had a very shallow depth of 9 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.

Date and Time:	Jun 18, 2025 03:49 (Mexico City Time) - Jun 18, 2025 09:49 Universal Time.
Location:	197 km west of Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico. Coordinates 14°46'22"N 94°5'18"W.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 5.8 Detected by 64 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.039 .
Depth:	9 km (6 mi) A very shallow depth.
Max. Intensity:	IV Light On the Modified Mercalli Scale.
Tsunami Risk:	Low tsunami risk Earthquakes under MAG-6.5 do not usually cause tsunami's. 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 2.3 million people exposed to shaking

An estimated 2.3 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.

Light shaking and likely no damage may have been experienced by an estimated 88,160 people. At IV, it is the highest MMI level this earthquake has caused. Intensity level III was experienced by the majority of people (around 2.1 million). In their region, weak shaking and probably no damage can be expected.

People in 2 countries have been exposed to shaking. In Mexico , around 2.3 million people, with impact levels up to IV (light shaking, likely no damage). Shaking was experienced by inhabitants of Guatemala too.

Nearby towns and cities

Mexico and Guatemala are both located within 300km distance of the epicenter of the earthquake.

The closest significant population center near the earthquake is Pijijiapan in Chiapas, Mexico. Pijijiapan is located 139 kilometer (86 mi) southwest of the epicenter. Pijijiapan experienced an earthquake intensity (MMI Scale) of roughly III. That level implies weak shaking and probably no damage.

Multiple major population centers exist within 300km of the earthquake that struck today. Guatemala City is located 385 km to the east (intensity unknown, possibly low). Tuxtla is located 244 km to the north-northeast (intensity unknown, possibly low). Mixco is located 375 km to the east (intensity unknown, possibly low).

The table below provides an overview of all places in proximity of today's earthquake. Where available, the estimated intensity on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale in each place is included. Places where this information is omitted likely experienced little impact.

Overview of nearby places

Earthquake Intensity Map

The maximum intensity (MMI Scale) caused by this earthquake is IV. The map below shows in which areas this earthquake was the most and least impactful. It is based on data from the US Geographic Survey.

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 1 person

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 1 person has reported shaking in one place in 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:

• Tlalnepantla, México, Mexico: 1 person.

16 Aftershocks detected

This main shock was followed by 16 smaller aftershocks. A 4.7 magnitude earthquake hit 18 mins later 9 km (5 mi) north-northwest of this earthquake.

In the days before this main shock, 4 smaller foreshocks were detected. A 4.1 magnitude earthquake hit 19 hrs earlier nearby.

Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks

More earthquakes coming?

The risk of aftershocks decreases rapidly over time. Usually, aftershocks are at least one order of magnitude lower than a main shock.

It's always adviced to be cautious of the risk of a larger shock following any significant earthquake, however this risk is fairly small. There is a roughly 94 percent change that no larger main shock will follow in the days following this 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 May 5th, 2025, when a 5.8 magnitude earthquake hit 255 km (159 mi) further north-east. An even stronger magnitude 8.2 earthquake struck on September 8th, 2017.

In total, 26 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 5 months.

Low tsunami risk

Based on early data it appears this earthquake was not strong enough (lower than MAG-6.5) to be likely to cause destructive tsunami's. However this earthquake appeared to have hit at a shallow depth under sea, so stay cautious and monitor advice from local authorities.

Tsunami Risk Factors

Sources

Last updated 19/07/25 13:38 (). As more information on this earthquake becomes available this article will be updated. This article is automatically composed based on data originating from multiple sources.

1. US Geographic Society (USGS): Earthquake us6000qkzh
2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20250618_0000078
3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
4. Google Maps: Static API
5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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