6.2-Magnitude Earthquake Hit Guatemala

Guatemala was struck by a 6.2-magnitude earthquake on Saturday, according to the United States Geological Survey.

The tremor was also felt in El Salvador and Nicaragua, but no casualties or damage were reported in any of the three countries.

The earthquake occurred at 8:53 pm (0253 GMT) with its epicenter located eight kilometers (five miles) southeast of Jalapa city, at a depth of 265.5 kilometers.

The seismological institute in El Salvador recorded the quake at a magnitude of 5.9, while Nicaragua registered it at 5.2-magnitude.

Civil protection authorities in the region reported no casualties or damage to infrastructure.

Central America is situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area known for intense tectonic activity.

In a related natural disaster event in 2018, Guatemala experienced the eruption of the Fuego volcano, which resulted in a death toll of 109.

An earthquake is caused by the sudden release of energy in the Earth’s crust, leading to seismic waves and potential ground shaking and surface rupture, often resulting in significant damage.