May 4, 1820 Earthquake: Guerrero, Oaxaca, Puebla, Veracruz, Mexico

On May 4 (mistakenly l0), 1820, at 14:30 [local time] there was a large earthquake on the western coast of Mexico, in the states of Guerrero and Oaxaca, and also in the states of Puebla and Veracruz. The source of the earthquake

apparently lay off Acapulco and San Marcos.

Public buildings, the church and the jail were destroyed at Chilapa. Many buildings collapsed altogether, while the others were heavily damaged. At Mochitlan, the church and different homes were destroyed; a pit 17 m deep with a circumference of 170 m appeared in one place by the river on the road. Collapses took place from the hill sides.

At Chilpancingo, Petaquilla, Dos Caminos, Arendas, San Miguel, and Oampampa, the most solid structures suffered serious damage. There was destruction at Acapulco and Tixtla. There were several accidents at Mexico City; one church collapsed; buildings and aqueducts suffered considerable damage.

At Oaxaca and the settlements of the state, strong oscillations were observed which lasted 35 seconds and frightened the population. A loud underground rumble was mixed with the cracking of roofs, which threatened to collapse. Many buildings cracked.

At Puebla, Tlaxcala, Orizaba, Cordova, Veracruz and other points in this direction, the earthquake was the strongest in the 19th century.

A multitude of aftershocks were felt. They continued without interruption until the 10th.

A tsunami was generated.

(above from reference #415)

Epicenter 16.5 N, 99.5 W, magnitude 8 (reference #415)

Epicenter 17.2 N, 99.6 W, magnitude 7.6 (reference #369)