The United States Geological Survey recorded a Magnitude 6.2 Earthquake at a depth of 20 km approximately 54 km to the east of Acapulco, slightly before 5.40 am local time (slightly before 12.40 pm GMT) on Wednesday 21 August 2013. This is a large quake, and was reportedly felt as far away as Mexico City, roughly 300 km to the north, but there are no reports of any casualties, and only minor damage to buildings in the Acapulco area.
The approximate location of the 21 August 2013 Mexico Earthquake. Google Maps.
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.
See also Fresh eruption on Mount Popocatépetl disrupts flights around Mexico City, Mexico City shaken by Magnitude 5.8 Earthquake, Eruption on Mount Popocatépetl, Magnitude 6.2 Earthquake beneath Guatemala and Earthquake in the Gulf of California.
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