Monday 6 June 2016

Magnitude 4.7 Earthquake off the coast of Oaxaca State, Mexico.

The United States Geological Survey recorded a Magnitude 4.7 Earthquake at a depth of 10 km off the coast of southwest Oaxaca State in southern Mexico slightly before 8.55 pm local time on Saturday 4 June 2016 (slightly before 1.55 am on Sunday 4 June GMT). There are no reports of any damage or casualties arising from this quake, but it was a moderately large event and people have reported feeling in the port of Puerto Escondido.

 The approximate location of the 4 June 2016 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.

Witness accounts of Earthquakes can help geologists to understand these events, and the structures that cause them. The international non-profit organization Earthquake Report is interested in hearing from people who may have felt this event; if you felt this quake then you can report it to Earthquake Report here.
 
See also...

http://sciencythoughts.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/eruption-on-mount-popocatepetl.htmlEruption on Mount Popocatépetl.             Mount Popocatépetl in southern Mexico underwent a major eruption on Monday 18 April 2016, producing a column of ash rising 3 km above the summit and throwing incandescent material (glowing hot rocks...
http://sciencythoughts.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/flights-cancelled-after-eruption-on.htmlFlights cancelled after eruption on Mount Colima.                                                     Several flights from airports in Mexico have been canceled following an eruption on Mount Colima on Wednesday 18 November 2015. The eruption...
http://sciencythoughts.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/eruption-on-mount-popocatepetl.htmlEruption on Mount Popocatépetl.                The Mexican National Centre for Disaster Prevention reported a series of eruptions on Mount Popocatépetl on Tuesday 20 October 2015, beginning at about 2.00 pm local time, the largest of which produced an ash...
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