Mexico earthquakes

M6.5 earthquake 71 km SSW of Papanoa, Mexico

A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck 71 km SSW of Papanoa, Mexico on Wed, May 11, 1938, 8:44 AM GMT-6 (14:44 UTC), 20 km (12 mi) below the surface.

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Map

Where this earthquake was located, with the others nearby. Select one for its page.

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The earthquake

Magnitude
6.5 (mw), strong
Local time
UTC
1938-05-11 14:44:51 UTC
Depth
20.0 km (12.4 mi), shallow
Epicenter
16.698° N, 101.213° W
Region
Mexico
Strongest shaking
V, moderate shaking
Tsunami flag
No
Status
Reviewed by a seismologist

Shaking

The USGS ShakeMap: shaking estimated from seismic stations and the quake’s size, on the Modified Mercalli intensity scale.

Strongest estimated
V, moderate shaking
Peak ground acceleration
5.5% of gravity
Peak ground velocity
1.7 cm/s
Map
Automatic
USGS ShakeMap: estimated shaking intensity around the epicenter
Estimated shaking intensity. Map: USGS ShakeMap.

Did you feel it?

No one has reported feeling this quake to the USGS.

How well it is located

Reviewed by a seismologist.

Magnitude uncertainty
±0.45
Depth from
From location

Nearest places

Distance and direction from each place to the epicenter, with its forecast.

Nearby

Within 100 km, magnitude 2.5 and up: 0 in the 60 days after this one and 0 in the 30 days before it.

None recorded.

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Sources

From the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program and its partner networks, event iscgem902480. Read Tue, Sep 22, 2026, 10:25 PM UTC.