Mexico Earthquake 2012: Acapulco And Mexico City Feel 7.6 Quake

By Mark Johanson | March 20 2012 2:58 PM

A magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck Mexico Tuesday near the tourist city of Acapulco, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The USGS puts the epicenter at about 115 miles east of Acapulco or about 15 miles east of Ometepec in Mexico's Guerrero state.

USGS

Earthquake epicenter 15 miles east of Ometepec in Mexico’s Guerrero state.
REUTERS

A major 7.6 magnitude earthquake rattled Mexico City and Acapulco Tuesday. Its epicenter was about 15 miles east of Ometepec in Mexico's Guerrero state. (Pictured: Office workers stand outside a building after an earthquake, in Mexico City.)

According to the Associated Press, the strong, long earthquake was felt as far away as Mexico City, about 235 miles away. Mexico City Mayor Marcelo Ebrard is furiously tweeting updates from his Twitter handle @m_ebrard. He is currently in a helicopter over Mexico City looking for damage but reports no tengo reportado dano serio or I have no serious damage reported. However, he tweets that several schools and buildings across the capital have been evacuated as a precaution. He further reports that the water and metro systems as well as the international airport are functioning.

President Felipe Calderon also tweeted that no heavy damage had been sighted due to the earthquake.

Local media reports no damage in Oaxaca, about 100 miles away from the epicenter.

There have been no details of damage or injuries from Acapulco or other areas in Mexico, though officials are only just beginning to assess.

Acapulco is one of Mexico's biggest tourist draws and a major port of call for shipping and cruising lines. The north end is considered the traditional area that gained fame in the 1950s as a getaway for Hollywood stars and the rich elite. The south end is dominated by newer luxury highrises.

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The quake struck at 12:02 p.m. Tuesday with a depth of about 4 miles.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said the inland quake would not generate a widespread tsunami, but there was the possibility of some local effects.

Initially, the earthquake had been reported at 7.9 magnitude, though it is now estimated at 7.6.

This is a developing story. Check back with IBTimes as further details become available.