  | |
| UTC time | 1959-08-26 08:25:37 |
|---|---|
| ISC event | 882734 |
| USGS-ANSS | ComCat |
| Local date | August 26, 1959 |
| Local time | 02:25:37 CST |
| Magnitude | 6.4 Mw[1] |
| Depth | 21.0 km (13 mi) |
| Epicenter | 18°13′N 94°25′W / 18.22°N 94.42°W |
| Type | Thrust |
| Areas affected | Mexico |
| Max. intensity | MMI VIII (Severe) |
| Aftershocks | August 26: 9:00 a.m., noon, 9:30 p.m. August 27: 3:45 a.m.[2] |
| Casualties | 25 dead, 200 injured |
The 1959 Coatzacoalcos earthquake (also known as the Jáltipan earthquake) occurred at 02:25 local time on August 26 near the Mexican state of Veracruz. The earthquake measured 6.4 Mw at a depth of 21 km (13 mi), and had a maximum Modified Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe). It had an epicenter immediately off the coast of Coatzacoalcos (in the Gulf of Mexico). The shallow back-arc thrust faulting earthquake damaged the cities of Acayucan, Coatzacoalcos, Jáltipan and Minatitlán. A total of 25 people died, including 10 from Jáltipan while a further 200 were injured. The Middle America Trench, a subduction zone that borders the southwestern coast of Mexico and Central America, accounts for much of the seismicity in Mexico. The eastern side of the country near the Gulf of Mexico rarely experiences large earthquakes although they have been recorded around the Veracruz area, where seismicity is higher compared to other parts of the gulf. Seismicity in the gulf is attributed to back-arc compression due to subduction.