Major Earthquake Kills Two in Southern Mexico

By Meghan Evans, Meteorologist

Mar 23, 2012; 11:20 AM ET

According to the United States Geological Survey, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck 115 miles east of Acapulco, Mexico Tuesday afternoon.
The quake occurred at just past 2:00 p.m. EDT and was in the Oaxaca region of Mexico near the southern coast.
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The epicenter was 15 miles east of Ometepec in the Guerrero state.

Although there were no immediate reports of fatalities, there have now been two confirmed deaths related to the earthquake.
The depth of the quake was 12.4 miles, which is considered to be shallow, meaning the shaking was very strong. Many small and remote towns were hit.
At least 800 homes collapsed in Igualapa, Mexico, a town close to the quake's epicenter, according to CNN.
In Mexico City, cell phones lines were down and swaying at the airport was felt strongly.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center did not issue any tsunami watches, warnings or advisories, releasing a statement saying, "a destructive Pacific-wide tsunami is not expected and there is no tsunami threat to Hawaii."
Since the major earthquake rumbled, several aftershocks have been felt, ranging from magnitude 4.6-5.3.
The weather should cooperate with cleanup and rescue efforts.
"The weather is dry and sunny," said AccuWeather.com Expert Senior Meteorologist Henry Margusity. "It is their dry season right now."
Content contributed by AccuWeather.com Expert Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski.

Major Earthquake Kills Two in Southern Mexico