2011 Zumpango earthquake

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2011 Zumpango earthquake
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Mexico City
UTC  time2011-12-11 01:47:25
ISC  event 603394181
USGS-ANSS ComCat
Local date10 December
Local time19:47
Magnitude6.5 Mw
Depth64.9 km (40.3 miles)
Epicenter 17°59′N99°47′E / 17.99°N 99.79°E / 17.99; 99.79 Coordinates: 17°59′N99°47′E / 17.99°N 99.79°E / 17.99; 99.79
Type Dip-slip (normal)
Areas affected Mexico
Max. intensity VII (Very strong)
Casualties3 dead, 10 injured [1]

The 2011 Zumpango earthquake occurred at 19:47 local time on 10 December with a moment magnitude of 6.5 and a maximum Mercalli intensity of VII (Very strong). Its epicenter was located in the city Zumpango, Guerrero, [2] roughly equidistant between the metropolitan areas of Mexico City and Acapulco. The quake was felt in Guerrero, Michoacán, Mexico State, Mexico City and Puebla.

Contents

Multiple deaths and injuries resulted from the earthquake, although the effects were minimized because the hypocenter was relatively deep at 65 kilometers (40 mi). [1] The resulting damage was minimal, but during the panic people evacuated buildings in Mexico City. [3]

Impact

In Mexico City, a little more than 100 miles (160 km) from the epicenter, [4] high rise buildings swayed for more than one minute as a result of the seism. Damage was reported as light though a secondary toll highway between Acapulco and Mexico City was blocked in several places due to landslides. The shaking was also responsible for knocking out power to around 82,000 people, [2] and disrupting cell phone service in the capital. In Acapulco, 87 miles (140 km) from the epicenter, no injuries or damage were reported. It was reported by Mexico City's mayor, Marcelo Ebrard, that normal operations were continuing at Mexico City International Airport. [2]

USGS shakemap for the event USGS Shakemap 2011 Guerrero Mexico Earthquake.jpg
USGS shakemap for the event

Casualties

Several injuries and one death was reported after rocks were dislodged from a hill and tumbled onto the Autopista del Sol (Highway of the Sun) and into a truck. [4] The other deaths were reported as one person killed during the collapse of a house's roof in Iguala, [2] and another was listed in Ixcateopan de Cuauhtémoc with unknown circumstances. [1]

Aftermath

An early report from the United States Geological Survey had the magnitude at 6.7 but it was later lowered to 6.5. [1] According to the Secretariat of the Interior there were four aftershocks within the first 45 minutes of the main shock. Also stated was that since this was a moderate event a large number of aftershocks were not expected. [5] Seven of the aftershocks were close to the epicenter and two more were in the state of Chiapas.

Although the event occurred in the coastal state of Guerrero, no tsunami warning was given for the earthquake. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration stated that based on the location, magnitude, and historical tsunami records, no advisory or warning would be necessary for the west coast of the United States, British Columbia, or Alaska. [3]

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Mark Stevenson; Lisa Adams; Sergio Flores; Michael Weissenstein (December 11, 2011). "Strong earthquake shakes buildings from Mexico City to Acapulco; 3 dead, but damage light". Associated Press . Retrieved 2011-12-11.[ dead link ]
  2. 1 2 3 4 Kenya Ramirez; Francisco Pazos (December 10, 2011). "Sacude sismo de 6.8 grados al DF, reporta el Servicio Sismológico; no hay daños mayores". Excélsior . Retrieved 2011-12-11.(in Spanish)
  3. 1 2 Ken Schwencke; Rong-Gong Lin II; Shelby Grad (December 10, 2011). "6.7 earthquake rocks Mexico City; no tsunami warning for California". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved 2011-12-17.
  4. 1 2 CNN Wire Staff (December 11, 2011). "At least 2 killed in Mexico earthquake". CNN . Retrieved 2011-12-11.
  5. ↑ Dirección General de Comunicación Social (December 10, 2011). "Sismo en Guerrero 6.8 Grados Richter". Secretariat of the Interior . Retrieved 2011-12-11.(in Spanish)
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