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| UTC time | 1976-02-04 09:01:46 |
|---|---|
| ISC event | 717474 |
| USGS-ANSS | ComCat |
| Local date | February 4, 1976 |
| Local time | 03:01:43 |
| Magnitude | 7.5 Mw |
| Depth | 5 kilometres (3 mi) |
| Epicenter | 15°19′N 89°06′W / 15.32°N 89.10°W |
| Fault | Motagua Fault |
| Type | Strike-slip |
| Areas affected | Guatemala Belize |
| Max. intensity | MMI IX (Violent)[1] |
| Casualties | 23,000 fatalities, 76,000 injured |
The 1976 Guatemala earthquake struck on February 4 at 03:01:43 local time with a moment magnitude of 7.5. The shock was centered on the Motagua Fault, about 160 km northeast of Guatemala City at a depth of 5 kilometers (3.1 mi) near the town of Los Amates in the department of Izabal.[1]
The earthquake ruptured a continuous length of 240 km along the Motagua fault and might have extended further to the east and west but was blocked by vegetation and swamps.
Cities throughout the country suffered damage, and most adobe type houses in the outlying areas of Guatemala City were destroyed. The earthquake struck during the early morning (at 3:01 am, local time) when most people were asleep. This contributed to the high death toll of 23,000. Approximately 76,000 were injured, and many thousands left homeless. Some of the areas affected went without electricity and communications for days.
The main shock was followed by thousands of aftershocks, some of the larger ones causing additional damage and loss of life.[2]
- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
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