Strong M6.1 earthquake hits off the coast of El Salvador
Image credit: TW/SAM, Google
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.1 hit off the coast of El Salvador at 21:57 UTC on August 28, 2024. The agency is reporting a depth of 33.9 km (21 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.1 at a depth of 34 km (21.1 miles).
The epicenter was located 60.5 km (37.6 miles) SSW of La Libertad (population 16 855), 72.2 km (44.8 miles) SSE of Acajutla (population 22 763), and 81.5 km (50.7 miles) SSW of Santa Tecla (population 124 694).
70 000 people are estimated to have felt moderate shaking and 7 489 000 light.
There is no tsunami threat from this earthquake.
The USGS issued a Green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage.
Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are highly vulnerable to earthquake shaking, though some resistant structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are mud wall and adobe block construction.
Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides that might have contributed to losses.
Shaking was reported in the capital, San Salvador, and in Guatemala.
There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.
Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking
Selected cities exposed
Regional seismicity
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