Strong and shallow M6.8 earthquake hits Michoacan, Mexico
A strong and shallow earthquake, registered by the USGS as M6.8, hit Michoacan, Mexico at 06:16 UTC on September 22, 2022. The agency reports a depth of 20 km (12.4 miles). EMSC reports M6.7 at a depth of 80 km (50 miles).
The epicenter was located 39.3 km (24.4 miles) SSW of Aguililla (population 8 801), 50.2 km (31.2 miles) SSE of Coalcomán de Vázquez Pallares (population 10 784), and 128.6 km (79.9 miles) SE of Colima (population 137 383), Mexico.
9 000 people are estimated to have felt very strong shaking, 41 000 strong and 506 000 moderate.
The quake hit just 3 days after a major M7.6 earthquake hit the same area at 18:05 UTC on September 19.
The USGS issued a Yellow alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. Some casualties and damage are possible and the impact should be relatively localized. Past yellow alerts have required a local or regional level response.
Estimated economic losses are less than 1% of GDP of Mexico.
Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are a mix of vulnerable and earthquake-resistant construction. The predominant vulnerable building types are mud wall and adobe block with concrete bond beam construction.
Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides that might have contributed to losses.
Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking
Selected cities exposed
Regional seismicity
Featured image credit: TW/SAM, Google
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