Major M7.3 earthquake hits offshore Chiapas, Mexico, hazardous tsunami waves forecast
A major earthquake registered by the USGS as M7.3 struck offshore Chiapas, Mexico at 14:48 UTC on July 17, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 15.2 km (9.4 miles). EMSC is reporting M7.3 at a depth of 25 km (15.5 miles). According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC), hazardous tsunami waves are forecast for some coasts.
Epicenter of M7.3 earthquake in offshore Chiapas, Mexico on July 17, 2026. Credit: TW/SAM, Google
The epicenter was located 48 km (30 miles) SW of Aquiles Serdán (population 1 135), 67 km (42 miles) SW of Huixtla (population 32 033), 72 km (44 miles) WSW of Tapachula (population 202 672), 73 km (45 miles) WNW of Brisas Barra de Suchiate (population 13 743), MExico, and 121 km (75 miles) WSW of San Marcos (population 47 063), Guatemala.
382 000 people are estimated to have felt very strong shaking, 1 056 000 strong, 4 668 000 moderate and 12 367 000 light.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said tsunami waves reaching 0.3 to 1 m (1 to 3 feet) above tide level are possible along some coasts of Guatemala and Mexico. Waves below 0.3 m (1 foot) above tide level are forecast for the coasts of Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama and Peru.
No PAGER alert has been issued by the USGS. Alert information for this event is currently under review and will be available soon.
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 adobe block with concrete bond beam and mud wall construction.
Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides that might have contributed to losses.
Liquefaction triggered by this earthquake is estimated to be significant in severity and/or spatial extent. The number of people living near areas that could have produced liquefaction in this earthquake is extensive.
Little or no landsliding is expected. Little or no population is exposed to potential earthquake-induced landslides.
Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking
Selected cities exposed
Regional seismicity
References:
1 M7.3 earthquake Offshore Chiapas, Mexico – USGS – July 17, 2026
2 M7.3 earthquake Offshore Chiapas, Mexico – EMSC – July 17, 2026
3 M7.3 earthquake Offshore Chiapas, Mexico – PTWC – July 17, 2026
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