The United States Geological Survey recorded a Magnitude 6.4 Earthquake at a depth of 24 km, roughly 15 km to the north of the city of Tecpán de Galeana in Guerrero State, southern Mexico, at about 12.00 noon local time (5.00 pm GMT) on Thursday 8 May 2014. There are no reports of any casualties, though minor damage to buildings was reported in Tecpán and Mexico City. The quake was felt across much of southern Mexico, and tall buildings were evacuated in many municipalities temporarily as a precaution.
Minor Damage to a building in Mexico City following the 8 May 2014 Mexican Earthquake. Yuri Cortez/AFP/Getty Images.
Southern Mexico is located on the southernmost part of the North American Plate. To the south, along the Middle American Trench, which lies off the southern coast off Mexico, the Cocos Plate is being subducted under the North American Plate, passing under southern Mexico as it sinks into the Earth. This is not a smooth process, and the plates frequently stick together then break apart as the pressure builds up, causing Earthquakes on the process.
The approximate location of the 8 May 2014 Mexican Earthquake. Google Maps.
See also...
The United States Geological Survey recorded a Magnitude 4.1 Earthquake at a depth of 10 km...
A Magnitude 4.7 Earthquake at a depth of 16.1 km occurred in Guerrero State, southwest Mexico, 15 km...
The Middle American Trench, in which the Cocos Plate is subducted beneath the North American Plate, runs parallel to the south coast of Mexico. Like many subduction zones, this feeds a chain of volcanoes...
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