M8.2 Tsunami

2017 Tehuantepec, Mexico Earthquake

Tehuantepec, Mexico — September 7, 2017

The 2017 Chiapas earthquake struck offshore southern Mexico and was the strongest earthquake to hit the country in a century. It caused significant damage across Chiapas and Oaxaca states and generated a localized tsunami. Just 11 days later, a separate M7.1 struck near Mexico City killing over 360 people.

Earthquake Facts

Magnitude

M8.2

Date

Sep 7, 2017

Depth

47.39 km

Deaths

98

Latitude

15.022°

Longitude

-93.899°

Tsunami

Yes

Region

Tehuantepec, Mexico

Tectonic Cause

Intraslab earthquake within the subducting Cocos Plate beneath the Caribbean Plate. The unusual intraplate mechanism distinguished it from the typical subduction interface events common in the region.

Aftermath in Pictures

Photos from Wikimedia Commons — open licenses (CC / Public Domain)

Images sourced from Wikimedia Commons under open licenses. Attribution required where specified. Click any image to enlarge.

Sources & Further Reading

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