Guatemala Earthquakes: Latest Quakes Now & Recent Updates
Are you feeling the ground tremble? Guatemala, a nation nestled in a seismically active zone, frequently experiences seismic activity, and knowing the latest earthquake updates is crucial for safety and awareness.
The country's location on the Pacific Ring of Fire makes it particularly vulnerable to earthquakes. This volatile tectonic environment, where multiple plates converge, means tremors are a regular occurrence. Checking for recent seismic events, especially if you believe you have felt one, is a responsible and proactive step. The reports are usually available with the quick intervals.
Guatemala has experienced a number of quakes recently. In the past 24 hours, the country has recorded two quakes exceeding a magnitude of 2.0. The largest of these reached a magnitude of 2.9. Events are constantly being reported, often within minutes of happening. Finding the latest quakes is often a priority for those who want to keep abreast of this.
The strongest earthquake in Quetzaltenango, for instance, occurred approximately 23 hours ago. Furthermore, on a Wednesday, a powerful earthquake, preliminarily registering a magnitude of 6.4, shook Guatemala City. The epicenter was located near Canilla, a town situated roughly 120 miles north of the capital. While the initial reports indicated no immediate injuries, the depth of the quake, at 158 miles below the surface, is notable. The earthquake in 1976 struck Guatemala on February 4 at 03:01:43 local time, it had a moment magnitude of 7.5.
The 1976 Guatemala earthquake was centered on the Motagua Fault, approximately 160 km northeast of Guatemala City. The earthquake struck at a depth of 5 kilometers near the town of Los Amates in the department of Izabal. Comparing the impact of the 1976 quake with more recent events highlights the varying intensities of shaking. While the 1976 event caused significant shaking, the more recent events reached only strong levels. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) provides valuable "shakemaps" illustrating the intensity of shaking during these events. These maps vividly depict the differences in impact between the 1976 magnitude 7.5 earthquake and the recent quakes.
Due to the country's special tectonic situation, more earthquakes than average happen there. Since 1950, earthquakes have claimed the lives of over 23,100 people. The region's complex geological makeup contributes to its high seismic activity, meaning the probability of an earthquake is higher in Guatemala.
Here are the latest quakes in or near Guatemala:
- 3 quakes | this week
- 60 quakes | latest quake
- M1.8 17 km al norte de Cuilapa, Guatemala
- Strongest today: Mag.3.5 7 km al oeste de Tecojate, Guatemala
- Strongest past week: Mag.4.8 2 km ese of Villa Canales, Guatemala
Additionally, a powerful earthquake, exceeding a magnitude of 7.5, struck off the coast of Honduras, prompting both emergency monitoring and regional alerts. Over the past year, Guatemala has experienced 25 earthquakes. The largest earthquake in Huehuetenango, Guatemala registered a magnitude of 5.3, located in Puerto Madero, Chiapas, Mexico. The quake's epicenter lay along a fault line cutting through the country's midsection.
The USGS often refers to Guatemala as "earthquake country". The 1976 quake, however, was the most damaging in nearly sixty years. This earthquake impacted an area of 38,000 square miles. In the past year, there have been 112 earthquakes, with the largest registering a magnitude of 4.8 in La Libertad, El Salvador. In addition, a magnitude 5.8 earthquake hit Guatemala on Wednesday, according to the German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ).
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The strongest recent earthquake in the vicinity of Petn occurred on June 14, 2017, at 01:29 local time. Discovering more seismic activities near Petn can be done through the resources below.
Another noteworthy event was the earthquake of 7.5 on the Richter scale which struck southern Guatemala at 2:50 a.m., causing almost 23,000 deaths and over 76,000 injuries. Further analysis includes the 6.2 magnitude earthquake near Bluff, Southland, New Zealand today, as well as the 4.7 magnitude earthquake near Sterling, Alaska. Recent earthquakes near Chiapas, Mexico are also included.
The region's seismic history also includes the 2012 event, a m=7.4 quake 110 km to the northwest, resulting in fatalities and significant damage. Landslides are a major hazard associated with Guatemalan earthquakes.
Based on the provided information, Guatemala experienced 10 earthquakes in the year 2025. The most powerful of these had a magnitude of 6.1.
| Recent Earthquake Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Quakes in Past 24 Hours (Magnitude 2.0+) | 2 |
| Largest Quake in Past 24 Hours | Magnitude 2.9 |
| Strongest Earthquake Today (Quetzaltenango) | Occurred 23 hours ago |
| Recent Powerful Earthquake | Magnitude 6.4 (Guatemala City, Wednesday) |
| Depth of Recent Powerful Earthquake | 158 miles (255 kilometers) below the surface |
| 1976 Guatemala Earthquake | Magnitude 7.5, February 4, 03:01:43 local time |
| Location of 1976 Earthquake | Motagua Fault, 160 km northeast of Guatemala City |
| Earthquakes in Past 30 Days | 5 |
| Earthquakes in Past 365 Days | 112 |
| Largest Earthquake in Huehuetenango, Guatemala | Magnitude 5.3 (Puerto Madero, Chiapas, Mexico) |
| Largest Earthquake in Guatemala (Past 365 Days) | Magnitude 4.8 (La Libertad, El Salvador) |
| Earthquakes in Guatemala in 2025 | 10 |
| Strongest Earthquake in Guatemala for 2025 | Magnitude 6.1 |
For detailed information about global earthquakes, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) is a reliable source: USGS Website
