No tsunami threat to Hawaii from magnitude 7.3 quake off Mexico

A powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck near the coast of Mexico’s southern state of Chiapas this morning, but it did not generate a tsunami threat to Hawaii.

The quake, which struck near the Mexican town of Puerto Madero at about 4:48 a.m. Hawaii time, was at a shallow depth of 6 miles, the U.S. Geological Survey said. It shook buildings in Guatemala and El Salvador and triggered a tsunami warning for the coasts of Mexico and Guatemala within about 186 miles of the epicenter.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center on Oahu said, “A tsunami threat exists for parts of the Pacific located closer to the earthquake. However, based on all available data, there is no tsunami threat to Hawaii.”

No damage was immediately reported by authorities.

In Guatemala City, the earthquake shook buildings and prompted some residents to dash from their homes on to the street, one person told Reuters.. Local media in Guatemala showed footage of staff evacuating a government building as security protocols were activated.

The tremor was also felt in El Salvador, another witness told Reuters.

In the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca, Gov. Salomon Jara said on social media that the earthquake was felt with moderate intensity in the state’s capital, but no serious damage was immediately reported.

The quake was followed by several aftershocks, including a magnitude 5.3 temblor.