August 12, 1868 Earthquake: Acapulco, Mexico
An earthquake struck Acapulco, Mexico on August 12, 1868. It caused a tsunami.
Map
Where it struck, with the other significant earthquakes within 200 km. Circles are sized and colored by magnitude; select one for its page.
The earthquake
- Date
- August 12, 1868
- Place
- Acapulco, Mexico
- Tsunami
- Yes: the tsunami it caused
- Epicenter
- 16.800° N, 99.900° W
- Country
- Mexico
The toll
The record gives no deaths, injuries or damage for this earthquake.
What the record says
NCEI’s account, from the sources it cites.
August 12 (or 11), 1868, 4:00 [local time]. An earthquake was felt at Acapulco (although not by all residents). A weaker shock was noticed at 11:00. Apparently, the unusual flood and ebb tides of the sea, observed from morning until 20:00, should be ascribed to this earthquake. The water at first retreated 35 m (40 vara) beyond its usual mark, and then covered the shore also for 35 m (40 vara) beyond the usual line, flooding nearby homes. [Probably effects of the Arica, Peru tsunami, August 13, 1868]. (reference #415)
August 12, 1868. Strong earthquake: Acapulco. (reference #1195)
Other significant earthquakes nearby
Within 200 km, the deadliest first.
- July 6, 1964, Guerrero, Mexico
- July 28, 1957, Acapulco,mexico City
- October 3, 1864, Puebla,veracruz,acultzingo,acatzingo, Mexico
- March 28, 1787, San Marcos, Oaxaca, Mexico
- June 7, 1982, Guererro, Orziba, Oaxaca, Guadalupe, Mexico
- April 15, 1907, Guerrero, Mexico
- February 22, 1943, Paricutin Volcano Forms, Guerrero, Mexico
- March 14, 1979, Guerrero, Mexico
- May 11, 1962, Southern Mexico
- December 23, 1937, Ometepec, Guerrero, Mexico
- September 8, 2021, Guerrero, Mexico
- April 25, 1989, Mexico City, Acapulco
- May 19, 1962, Southern Mexico
- September 14, 1995, Guerrero, Oaxaca, Puebla, Mexico City
- January 2, 2026, Guerrero, Mexico
More
Significant earthquakes of 1868The 1800sRecent earthquakes near hereThis day in weather history
Sources
Significant earthquakes from NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Historical Hazard Database, cited as NCEI/WDS, doi:10.7289/V5PN93H7. Public domain. Read 2026-09-24. NCEI earthquake 6623.