6.2 Quake Hits Off Coast Of Southern Mexico

Published January 21, 2012 7:27PM (EST)

MEXICO CITY (AP) — A magnitude-6.2 earthquake hit off the coast of the southern Mexican state of Chiapas on Saturday, shaking the state from the capital of Tuxtla Gutierrez to Tapachula on the border with Guatemala.

The quake, which hit at 12:47 p.m. local time (1:47 p.m. EST; 18:47 GMT), broke windows in Tuxtla Gutierrez and sent frightened residents into the streets in cities across Chiapas.

There were no initial reports of major damage, but state Civil Protection authorities said they were doing a review throughout the state.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the epicenter was in the Pacific Ocean about 35 miles (57 kilometers) southwest of the city of Mapastepec, near the border with Guatemala. It had a depth of 41 miles (66 kilometers.)


By Salon Staff

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