April 3, 1787 Earthquake: San Marcos, Oaxaca, Mexico

1747, April 3, 9:30 - 10:00 [local time]. Apparently, this was the strongest aftershocks of the March 28, 1787 earthquake. At Oaxaca, the destruction of the most solid buildings was completed; thus, at San Francisco church, one of the bell towers collapsed. The shock was felt rather strongly at Mexico City, and also at Tehuantepec. In some places on the coast, situated 18 km (4 leagues) from Tehuantepec, an unusual movement of the water and a menacing roar were observed simultaneously with the earthquake. Previously unknown fishes and enormous shellfish were tossed onshore. The same occurred on the coast at Pochutla and Juquila. (reference #415)

1787, March 28-April 3. Mexico, centre near San Marcos, Acapulco, Ayutla, Igualapa, Tcotillan in Oaxaca, Michoacan and south to Tehuantepec; sea waves. Intensity III which corresponds to an earthquake which destroyed towns and devastated districts. (reference #1055)

The 3 April 1787 earthquake produced greater damage [compared to the 28 March 1787 event] in Tehuantepec, and although it is not completely clear in the report published by the Gazette of Mexico, “…it produced an alteration in the sea near Tehuantepec, accompanied by bellows and which throws fish and shells onto the beach”; Orozco and Berra added that this phenomenon also occurred on the coast between Pochutla and Juquila. (reference #12967)