The United States Geological Survey recorded a Magnitude 4.1 Earthquake at a depth of 10 km in southwest Oaxaca State in southern Mexico slightly before 11.40 pm local time on Saturday 5 October 2013 (slightly before 6.40 am on Sunday 6 October GMT). There are no reports of any damage or casualties arising from this quake, but it was a moderately large event and likely to have been felt in Oaxaca and Guerrero States.
The approximate location of the 5 October 2013 Oaxaca 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 Magnitude 4.7 Earthquake in Guerrero State, southwest Mexico, Magnitude 6.2 Earthquake in southern Mexico, Fresh eruption on Mount Popocatépetl disrupts flights around Mexico City, Magnitude 6.2 Earthquake beneath Guatemala and Eruption on Mount Pacaya.
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