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Recent earthquakes in Guatemala
Was there an earthquake in Guatemala today? Check reported USGS epicentres, times, magnitudes and depths, or choose a longer period.
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Latest earthquakes
UpdatedUpdates every minute while this page is visible
No known events in this window
This describes the available catalogue, not an all-clear. Try a longer period or check the latest known event below.
The last 30 days
- Latest recorded earthquake
- No records in 30 days
- Strongest in 30 days
- No records in 30 days
- Earthquakes in the catalogue
- 0USGS
- Magnitude 4.5 or larger
- 0M ≥ 4.5
Data from USGS, updated automatically. This is not a warning; official alerts come from national authorities. Times are shown in Guatemala time (UTC−6).
Where earthquakes happen in Guatemala
The Pacific coast: subduction
Off Escuintla, Retalhuleu and San Marcos the Cocos Plate dives beneath the Caribbean Plate, producing earthquakes such as 1942 (M7.7) and Champerico 2012 (M7.4).
The Motagua fault: a plate boundary
The Motagua and Polochic faults mark the boundary between the North American and Caribbean plates. The 1976 earthquake (M7.5) ruptured the Motagua fault over roughly 200 km and killed more than 20,000 people.
The highlands: faults and volcanoes
Local faults and a chain of active volcanoes run through the highlands. Antigua Guatemala, now a UNESCO site, lost its role as capital after the 1773 Santa Marta earthquakes.
Major earthquakes
Strong earthquakes centred in Guatemala or off its coast since 1900, according to the USGS:
- 7.7Mw
- 7.5Mw
- 7.4Mww
- 7.2Mw
- 7.1Mw
- 7.0Mw
Travelling in Guatemala
Antigua and Lake Atitlán lie in the active highlands. Many older buildings are adobe; during shaking keep away from walls and facades, and leave only when the shaking stops.
The official report comes from INSIVUMEH; CONRED coordinates the emergency response. Guatemala uses UTC−6 all year.
Frequently asked questions
When was the last earthquake in Guatemala?
The first panel shows the latest earthquake in the catalogue in Guatemala time.
What was the 1976 Guatemala earthquake?
A magnitude 7.5 earthquake on the Motagua fault that ruptured about 200 km and was among the deadliest in Central American history.
Why does Guatemala have so many earthquakes?
Three plates meet there: Cocos, North American and Caribbean.
Latest known event
Latest known event · America/Guatemala
Sources and coverage
Source: USGS · GeoNames · CC BY 4.0 · Natural Earth
The location is the reported epicentre. Offshore context is separate from a position inside a country. Small-event coverage varies by region.
Historical context
The historical catalogue includes USGS M6+ from 1900, M4.5+ from 1970 and delivered events since the project began. It is not a complete record of all small earthquakes.
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