Strong M6.2 earthquake hits Michoacan, Mexico at intermediate depth
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.2 hit Michoacan, Mexico at 08:32 UTC (02:32 LT) on January 12, 2025. The agency is reporting a depth of 86 km (53 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.
Image credit: TW/SAM, Google
The epicenter was located 8.5 km (5.3 miles) SE of Coalcomán de Vázquez Pallares (population 10 784), 58 km (36 miles) SSW of Tepalcatepec (population 15 221), 64 km (40 miles) SW of Felipe Carrillo Puerto (population 10 217), 76 km (47 miles) SW of Buenavista Tomatlán (population 10 390), and 88 km (55 miles) SE of Colima (population 146 965), Mexico.
85 000 people are estimated to have felt moderate shaking and 5 021 000 light.
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 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
References:
1 M6.3 earthquake Mexico – USGS – January 12, 2025
2 M6.3 earthquake Mexico – EMSC – January 12, 2025
I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.
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