Magnitude-6.2 Earthquake Shakes Acapulco, Mexico

Acapulco earthquake — Self-reported shaking felt from the magnitude-6.2 earthquake in Mexico on Aug. 21. (Image credit: USGS)

A magnitude-6.2 earthquake struck Mexico's Pacific coast today (Aug. 21), shaking buildings in the resort town of Acapulco. The quake was felt as far inland as Mexico City. The temblor hit at 7:38 a.m. local time (8:38 a.m. ET), about 60 miles (100 kilometers) east of Acapulco. The earthquake was centered at a depth of about 18 miles (30 km), initial reports estimate. A magnitude-5.3 aftershock followed 24 minutes after the initial temblor, according to the United States Geological Survey.

No major injuries or damage have been reported in Mexico City, where an earthquake early warning system prompted building evacuations, according to the Associated Press. Strong shaking was reported in Acapulco. Schools have been closed for the day. Building walls cracked in Acapulco, damage was reported at three hospitals, and a cement gate at a military building collapsed, according to news reports.

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Becky Oskin covers Earth science, climate change and space, as well as general science topics. Becky was a science reporter at Live Science and The Pasadena Star-News; she has freelanced for New Scientist and the American Institute of Physics. She earned a master's degree in geology from Caltech, a bachelor's degree from Washington State University, and a graduate certificate in science writing from the University of California, Santa Cruz.