Tehuacan - Mexico, Magnitude 6.7

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Posting Date: June 15, 1999, 12:41:00 PM

A strong earthquake occurred near the city of Tehuacan, Mexico, at 4:41 p.m. EDT on Monday, June 15. Considerable damage was reported in Puebla, a city 75 miles southeast of Mexico City, where 12 people were killed and dozens more injured. While the quake took the heaviest toll on colonial-era buildings, modern apartment buildings also suffered heavy damage and even collapse. Damage was also reported in several surrounding towns, and minor damage and power outages were reported in Mexico City. The total death toll from the quake stands at 16. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the earthquake, which was assigned a preliminary moment magnitude of 6.7, occurred at a depth of roughly 80 kilometers. Had the rupture occurred closer to the surface, damage would likely have been much greater. Two other, similar earthquakes occurred in this seismic source zone, one in 1973 and a second in 1985. The 1973 earthquake, which was a surface-wave magnitude 7.3 event, caused over 600 deaths. AIR will continue to monitor events in this area and will post additional information if it is warranted.

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Posting Date: June 15, 1999, 12:41:00 PM