MEXICO CITY — A strong 6.5‑magnitude earthquake rattled southern and central Mexico on Friday, January 2, 2026, prompting residents to evacuate buildings as shaking was felt as far away as Mexico City and the Pacific coastal city of Acapulco.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the quake occurred at 7:58 a.m. local time (13:58 GMT) and was centred near Rancho Viejo and San Marcos in Guerrero state, approximately 65 kilometres east‑northeast of Acapulco de Juárez at a depth of about 35 kilometres (22 miles) — conditions that made the tremors widely perceptible.
Where It Was Felt and Immediate Reactions
Residents and tourists in Mexico City, roughly 230–300 kilometres north of the epicentre, described buildings swaying and people rushing into the streets, while residents in Guerrero reported strong ground shaking.
The quake temporarily interrupted President Claudia Sheinbaum’s press briefing in the capital, where she and journalists evacuated the presidential palace as alarms sounded before resuming shortly afterward.
Sheinbaum later spoke with Guerrero Governor Evelyn Salgado, who indicated that no major structural damage had been reported so far.
Impact and Safety Measures
Preliminary reports indicate no immediate widespread destruction or significant casualties in the hours following the tremor, though landslides were reported on some highways near Acapulco as a result of ground movement.
Residents in affected areas described the shaking as intense and unsettling, with seismic alerts sounding on phones seconds before tremors reached their full force.
Seismic Context
Mexico lies along several major tectonic plate boundaries, making it susceptible to frequent earthquakes.
The region — especially the southwestern state of Guerrero and areas near the Pacific coast, has a history of seismic activity due to the subduction of the Cocos Plate beneath the North American Plate.
The 1985 magnitude 8.1 earthquake is among the most devastating in modern Mexican history, particularly impacting Mexico City, which is built on ancient lakebed soils that amplify seismic waves.
Aftershocks and Monitoring
Seismologists continue to monitor the area for aftershocks and additional tremors following the main shock, while local authorities urge residents to remain aware of safety protocols and preparedness for potential additional shaking.
