On Friday Afternoon a Significant M5.8 Earthquake struck near Quetzaltenango in Guatemala.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on November 28th, 2025. Last updated January 7th, 2026.

In the afternoon of Friday November 28th, 2025, a significant Magnitude 5.8 earthquake hit under land 87 kilometer from Quetzaltenango in Guatemala. Roughly 20 million people may have felt this earthquake. Other countries near the epicenter include Mexico and El Salvador.

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Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in Guatemala, 87 kilometer (54 mi) northwest of Quetzaltenango. The center of this earthquake had an intermediate depth of 148 km.

Date and Time:	Nov 28, 2025 14:06 (Mexico City Time) - Nov 28, 2025 20:06 Universal Time.
Location:	12 km ESE of Motozintla, Chiapas, Mexico. Coordinates 15°20'17"N 92°8'33"W.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 5.8 Detected by 87 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.033 .
Depth:	148 km (92 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 20 million people exposed to shaking

The USGS has published a report estimating the number of people exposed to this earthquake. Acoording to their analysis, roughly 20 million have been exposed to shaking at an MMI level of II or higher.

Light shaking and likely no damage may have been experienced by an estimated 939,700 people. At IV, it is the highest MMI level this earthquake has caused. Intensity level III was experienced by the majority of people (around 18 million). In their region, weak shaking and probably no damage can be expected.

People in 2 countries have been exposed to shaking. Roughly 15 million people were exposed to shaking in Guatemala , with level IV (light shaking, likely no damage) as the highest recorded. In Mexico , around 5 million people.

Nearby towns and cities

This earthquake struck within proximity of multiple countries. Mexico , Guatemala and El Salvador are all within 300km distance of its epicenter. Futher away, this earthquake may also have been felt in Honduras and Belize.

The closest significant population center near the earthquake is Motozintla in Chiapas, Mexico. Motozintla is located 12 kilometer (7 mi) east-southeast of the epicenter. The intensity of shaking and damage in Motozintla is estimated to be around level III on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (weak shaking, probably no damage).

Major cities near this earthquake: Guatemala City is located 191 km to the east-southeast and experienced an intensity of III (weak shaking, probably no damage). Tapachula is located 50 km to the south-southwest and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage). Tuxtla is located 189 km to the northwest and experienced an intensity of III (weak shaking, probably no damage).

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 intensity in shaking and damage by this earthquake is illustrated through the map below. The highest intensity measured for this earthquake is IV.

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 5 people in 2 countries

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 5 people have reported shaking in 5 places in 2 countries (Guatemala, 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:

• Olintepeque, Quezaltenango, Guatemala: 1 person.
• Coatepeque, Quezaltenango, Guatemala: 1 person.
• Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico: 1 person.
• San Juan la Laguna, Sololá, Guatemala: 1 person.
• Chiapa, Chiapas, Mexico: 1 person.

5 Aftershocks detected

After this earthquake struck, 5 smaller aftershocks occurred. At a distance of 49 km (30 mi) northwest of this earthquake, an aftershock struck 19 hrs later. It measured a magnitude of 4

In the days before this main shock, 2 smaller foreshocks were detected. Nearby this earthquake a foreshock struck 2 days earlier. It measured a magnitude of 4.4

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 August 11th, 2025, when a 5.8 magnitude earthquake hit 217 km (135 mi) further west. An even stronger magnitude 8.2 earthquake struck on September 8th, 2017.

In total, 34 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 4 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 07/01/26 01:18 (). This article is automatically generated based on available data. We keep checking multiple sources for additional information. This article gets updated as new details on this earthquake become available.

1. US Geographic Society (USGS): Earthquake us7000rehl
2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20251128_0000314
3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
4. Google Maps: Static API
5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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