Strong and shallow M6.0 earthquake hits Guerrero, Mexico

A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.0 hit Guerrero, Mexico at 14:31 UTC on December 11, 2022. The agency is reporting a depth of 18.8 km (11.7 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.0 at a depth of 60 km (37.3 miles).

The epicenter was located 3.2 km (2 miles) WNW of El Ticui (population 3 389), 4.7 km (2.9 miles) WNW of Atoyac de Álvarez (population 21 407), 16.7 km (10.4 miles) E of Técpan de Galeana (population 15 119) and 47.6 km (29.6 miles) WNW of Coyuca de Benítez (population 13 566).

94 000 people are estimated to have felt strong shaking, 55 000 moderate and 1 724 000 light.

The USGS issued a Yellow alert for shaking-related fatalities. Some casualties are possible and the impact should be relatively localized. Past events with this alert level have required a local or regional level response.

A Green alert was issued for economic losses. There is a low likelihood of damage.

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