Moderate magnitude 4.2 earthquake at 11 km depth17 Mar 04:22 UTC: First to report: EMSC after 10 minutes.I didn't feel itI felt this quakeEarthquake detailsDate & timeMar 17, 2026 04:12:40 UTC - Local time at epicenterMonday, Mar 16, 2026, at 10:12 pm (GMT -6)Statusconfirmed (manually revised)Magnitude4.2Depth11 kmEpicenter latitude / longitude12.48°N / 91.03°WGuatemalaSeismic antipode12.48°S / 88.97°EShaking intensityIV Light shaking near epicenterFelt0 reportsPrimary data sourceEMSC (European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre)Nearest volcanoTecuamburro (198 km / 123 mi)Weather at epicenter at time of quakeScattered Clouds 27.9°C (82 F), humidity: 73%, wind: 3 m/s (6 kts) from NWEstimated seismic energy released1.3 x 1011 joules (35 megawatt hours, equivalent to 30.1 tons of TNT) | equivalent to ONE quake of magnitude 4.2 | about seismic energy23 minutes agoMar 17, 2026 04:12 GMT / Mar 16, 2026 10:12 pm (GMT -6)Lat / Lng: 12.48 / -91.03: Off the Coast OF GuatemalaSource: EMSCOther sources: INETER: 4.2 / 11 kmDetail info | You felt it? - Report it!';storedMarkers.push(['quake-22816032',12.48000,-91.03000,'23 minutes ago: Mag. 4.2, Off the Coast OF Guatemala',html,'quakes-6-24.png',25,25,12,12,125]); function mkRep(id,notFelt){var nFelt=notFelt||false;var src="https://www.volcanoesandearthquakes.com/app/earthquake-report.php?quakeId="+id;if(nFelt==true){src+="¬Felt=true";}window.open(src,"","status=0,toolbar=0,location=0,directories=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,scrollbars=1,height=400,width=350");} function locationHashChanged(e){-1!=e.oldURL.indexOf("#popupMap")&&closePopup()} window.onhashchange = locationHashChanged; function comment(e){var t=e.parentNode,a=(t.dataset.id,document.getElementById("commentForm"));"none"==a.style.display?(t.appendChild(a),a.style.display="block"):a.style.display="none"}function sendComment(e){var t=e.parentNode,a=t.parentNode.dataset.id,n=document.getElementById("commentContent"),p=n.value.trim();if(p){var o="id="+a+"&quakeId="+thisQuakeId;o+="&comment="+decodeURIComponent(p),mkRequest("//reports.volcanodiscovery.com/app/eqReportComment.php","post",o,function(e){e.responseText;alert("Thank you for submitting your comment!"),t.style.display="none",n.value=""})}}function flagReport(e){var t=e.parentNode.dataset.id;if(confirm("Report this as inappropriate?")){var a="id="+t+"&quakeId="+thisQuakeId+"&flagAsInappropriate=1";mkRequest("//reports.volcanodiscovery.com/app/eqReportComment.php","post",a,function(t){var a=t.responseText;alert(a),e.style.display="none"})}}function likeReport(e){var t="id="+e.parentNode.dataset.id+"&quakeId="+thisQuakeId+"&like=1";mkRequest("//reports.volcanodiscovery.com/app/eqReportComment.php","post",t,function(t){t.responseText;e.style.opacity=.5})}]]>[smaller] [bigger]Most recent quakes Top 20 past 24 hrs Quakes in GuatemalaNearby placesThe closest larger town where the quake might have been felt is Puerto San Jose, a town with 19,000 inhabitants in Guatemala, in 162 km (101 mi) distance north of the epicenter. People likely experienced very weak shaking there. In the capital of Guatemala, Guatemala City, 247 km (153 mi) away from the epicenter, the earthquake could not be felt.The following table shows some of the places that might have been affected (or not) by the shaking.DistancePlaceMax. shaking intensity(*)RegionCountry162 km (101 mi)N of epicenterPuerto San Jose(pop: 18,700)II: Very weakMunicipio de San Jose, Departamento de EscuintlaGuatemala178 km (111 mi)N of epicenterLa Gomera(pop: 24,000)II: Very weakDepartamento de EscuintlaGuatemala189 km (118 mi)N of epicenterGuazacapan(pop: 18,900)II: Very weakDepartamento de Santa RosaGuatemala193 km (120 mi)N of epicenterMasagua(pop: 45,300)II: Very weakDepartamento de EscuintlaGuatemala204 km (127 mi)N of epicenterTiquisate(pop: 18,200)II: Very weakDepartamento de EscuintlaGuatemala204 km (127 mi)N of epicenterEscuintla(pop: 156,300)II: Very weakDepartamento de EscuintlaGuatemala206 km (128 mi)N of epicenterSanta Lucia Cotzumalguapa(pop: 112,800)II: Very weakMunicipio de Santa Lucia Cotzumalguapa, Departamento de EscuintlaGuatemala215 km (133 mi)N of epicenterCuilapa(pop: 41,400)II: Very weakDepartamento de Santa RosaGuatemala215 km (134 mi)NE of epicenterJalpatagua(pop: 28,800)II: Very weakDepartamento de JutiapaGuatemala216 km (134 mi)N of epicenterBarberena(pop: 47,100)II: Very weakDepartamento de Santa RosaGuatemala217 km (135 mi)N of epicenterPatulul(pop: 40,700)II: Very weakDepartamento de SuchitepequezGuatemala217 km (135 mi)N of epicenterPalin(pop: 65,900)II: Very weakMunicipio de Palin, Departamento de EscuintlaGuatemala219 km (136 mi)N of epicenterSanta Barbara(pop: 17,200)II: Very weakDepartamento de SuchitepequezGuatemala224 km (139 mi)N of epicenterAlotenango(pop: 24,000)II: Very weakDepartamento de SacatepequezGuatemala225 km (140 mi)N of epicenterYepocapa(pop: 34,900)II: Very weakDepartamento de ChimaltenangoGuatemala226 km (141 mi)N of epicenterAmatitlan(pop: 71,800)II: Very weakMunicipio de Amatitlan, Departamento de GuatemalaGuatemala227 km (141 mi)N of epicenterSanta Maria de Jesus(pop: 21,800)II: Very weakMunicipio de Santa Maria de Jesus, Departamento de SacatepequezGuatemala229 km (142 mi)N of epicenterVilla Canales(pop: 155,400)II: Very weakDepartamento de GuatemalaGuatemala229 km (142 mi)N of epicenterCiudad Vieja(pop: 33,400)II: Very weakDepartamento de SacatepequezGuatemala230 km (143 mi)N of epicenterFraijanes(pop: 58,900)II: Very weakDepartamento de GuatemalaGuatemala231 km (143 mi)N of epicenterPetapa(pop: 135,400)I: Not feltDepartamento de GuatemalaGuatemala232 km (144 mi)N of epicenterChicacao(pop: 60,700)I: Not feltDepartamento de SuchitepequezGuatemala232 km (144 mi)N of epicenterVilla Nueva(pop: 618,400)I: Not feltDepartamento de GuatemalaGuatemala233 km (145 mi)N of epicenterAntigua Guatemala(pop: 46,100)I: Not feltDepartamento de SacatepequezGuatemala234 km (145 mi)N of epicenterMazatenango(pop: 77,400)I: Not feltDepartamento de SuchitepequezGuatemala236 km (146 mi)NE of epicenterJutiapa(pop: 145,900)I: Not feltDepartamento de JutiapaGuatemala239 km (149 mi)N of epicenterSan Andres Itzapa(pop: 25,000)I: Not feltMunicipio de San Andres Itzapa, Departamento de ChimaltenangoGuatemala239 km (149 mi)N of epicenterRetalhuleu(pop: 90,500)I: Not feltDepartamento de RetalhuleuGuatemala239 km (149 mi)N of epicenterSan Jose Pinula(pop: 79,800)I: Not feltMunicipio de San Jose Pinula, Departamento de GuatemalaGuatemala239 km (149 mi)N of epicenterSanta Catarina Pinula(pop: 80,600)I: Not feltDepartamento de GuatemalaGuatemala241 km (150 mi)NE of epicenterSan Salvador(pop: 526,000)I: Not feltDepartamento de San SalvadorEl Salvador241 km (150 mi)N of epicenterSantiago Atitlan(pop: 33,300)I: Not feltDepartamento de SololaGuatemala241 km (150 mi)N of epicenterSan Sebastian(pop: 29,200)I: Not feltDepartamento de RetalhuleuGuatemala243 km (151 mi)N of epicenterSantiago Sacatepequez(pop: 29,200)I: Not feltDepartamento de SacatepequezGuatemala244 km (151 mi)N of epicenterMixco(pop: 465,800)I: Not feltDepartamento de GuatemalaGuatemala246 km (153 mi)N of epicenterNuevo San Carlos(pop: 39,600)I: Not feltDepartamento de RetalhuleuGuatemala246 km (153 mi)N of epicenterSan Felipe(pop: 24,400)I: Not feltDepartamento de RetalhuleuGuatemala247 km (153 mi)N of epicenterGuatemala City(pop: 994,900)I: Not feltMunicipio de Guatemala, Departamento de GuatemalaGuatemala251 km (156 mi)NE of epicenterAsuncion Mita(pop: 48,300)I: Not feltMunicipio de Asuncion Mita, Departamento de JutiapaGuatemala265 km (164 mi)NE of epicenterJalapa(pop: 159,800)I: Not feltDepartamento de JalapaGuatemalaNotes:(*) Shaking intensity according to the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale (MMI) and estimated using seismic models.User-reports for this quakeThere are no user reports for this quake yet.If you felt it, be the first to report it!Get the Android appCompare Quake DataData for the same earthquake as reported by different agenciesThe more agencies report about the same quake and post similar data, the more confidence you can have in the data. It takes normally up to a few hours until earthquake parameters are calculated with near-optimum precision.MagDepthTime GMT2026-03-17EpicenterAgency4.211 km6.8 mi04:12:40OFF THE COAST OF GUATEMALAEMSC (European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre)4.211 km6.8 mi04:12:40162 Km al sur de Sipacate, Guatemala0.9 km (0.5 mi) epicenter difference with EMSCINETERAftershocks for this quakeNo aftershocks have been recorded so far. When aftershocks are detected, we will update this section.What are aftershocks?Larger earthquakes (above magnitude 5 or so) such as this one are usually followed by smaller ones known as aftershocks that occur in the same area during the days, weeks, months or even years after the main shock.[More info]What about this quake?Based on its magnitude, the fault that was active during the quake likely ruptured beneath a surface area of approximately 2 km2 (1 square miles) as a first-order estimate. The length of the rupture zone thus was probably around 2 km (1 mi).[More info]Recorded aftershocks, latest first (0 quake)Mar 16, 2026 10:12 pm (GMT -6)23 minutes ago4.211 km0 km - This quakeNorth Pacific Ocean, 247 km S of Guatemala City, GuatemalaMain Shock (this quake)MoreMap of aftershocksEarthquake statisticsAverage number of earthquakesBased on data from the past 56 years and our earthquake archive back to 1900, there are about 77 quakes on average per year in the area near the epicenter of this quake (within 100 km/61 mi):Mag. 6 or higher: 0.06 quakes per year (or 1 quake every 15.9 years)Mag. 5 or higher: 0.56 quakes per year (or 1 quake every 1.8 years)Mag. 4 or higher: 15.1 quakes per yearMag. 3 or higher: 65 quakes per year (or 5.4 quakes per month)Mag. 2 or higher: 76 quakes per year (or 6.3 quakes per month)The area where this quake occurred has a high level of seismic activity. It has had at least 8 quakes above magnitude 6 since 1900, which suggests that larger earthquakes of this size occur infrequently, probably on average approximately every 15 to 20 years.Number of quakes per yearPrevious quakes in the same area of this earthquakeThe earthquake occurred 8 days after a magnitude 4.2 earthquake had hit on Monday, Mar 9, 2026, at 09:15 am (GMT -6 local time) in 68 km (43 mi) distance to the northeast:Mag. 4.2 earthquake Off the Coast OF Guatemala - Mar 9, 2026 - The largest quake near the epicenter of this quake during the 10 years before was an event of magnitude 6.1. It had occurred 7 years earlier, on Sunday, Oct 28, 2018, at 04:23 pm (GMT -6 local time) in North Pacific Ocean, El Salvador:Mag. 6.1 earthquake North Pacific Ocean - 84 km southwest of Acajutla, El Salvador - Oct 28, 2018 - The strongest-ever (since 1900) recorded quake in this area measured magnitude 7.9. It had occurred 111 years ago earlier, on Monday, Sep 6, 1915, at 07:20 pm local time (America/El Salvador GMT -6) in Departamento de Chalatenango, El Salvador:Mag. 7.9 earthquake Departamento de Chalatenango - 40 km northeast of San Salvador, El Salvador - Sep 6, 1915 - Below is a list and map of larger or recent quakes that had occurred near the epicenter before this earthquake (within up to 100 km/61 mi distance, up to 300 km/183 mi for very large quakes above mag. 7). Filter and sort the list by magnitude or time.Max results102050100AllMagnitudeAll2+3+4+5+6+7+8+Time before48 hours1 week30 days1 year5 years30 yearsAny ageDate and TimeMagDepthDistanceLocationDetailsMapMar 9, 09:15 am (GMT -6)4.210 km68 km (43 mi) to the NE Off the Coast OF GuatemalaInfoFeb 22, 09:54 pm (GMT -6)4.811 km61 km (38 mi) to the NNorth Pacific Ocean, 186 km south of Guatemala City, Guatemala 1 reportInfoFeb 22, 09:53 pm (GMT -6)4.410 km71 km (44 mi) to the NNorth Pacific Ocean, 91 km south of Puerto San Jose, GuatemalaInfoJan 27, 01:00 am (GMT -6)4.110 km62 km (38 mi) to the NNorth Pacific Ocean, 104 km south of Puerto San Jose, Guatemala 1 reportInfoDec 26, 2025 09:13 pm (GMT -6)4.29 km85 km (53 mi) to the ENorth Pacific Ocean, 182 km southwest of San Salvador, El SalvadorInfoDec 13, 2025 03:21 pm (GMT -6)4.710 km87 km (54 mi) to the NNorth Pacific Ocean, 90 km southwest of Puerto San Jose, GuatemalaInfoAug 23, 2025 03:14 am (GMT -6)6.010 km98 km (61 mi) to the NE 81 km SW of Acajutla, El Salvador 86 reportsInfoAug 16, 2025 11:59 pm (GMT -6)5.410 km82 km (51 mi) to the NNorth Pacific Ocean, Departamento de Guatemala, 125 km south of Escuintla, Guatemala 2 reportsInfoJul 29, 2023 07:10 pm (GMT -6)5.79 km39 km (24 mi) to the NNorth Pacific Ocean, 208 km south of Guatemala City, Guatemala 7 reportsInfoJan 22, 2021 10:58 pm (GMT -6)5.318 km95 km (59 mi) to the NNorth Pacific Ocean, 67 km south of Puerto San Jose, Guatemala 14 reportsInfoMay 5, 2020 06:02 am (GMT -6)5.310 km64 km (40 mi) to the NWNorth Pacific Ocean, 152 km south of Escuintla, Guatemala 2 reportsInfoOct 28, 2018 04:23 pm (GMT -6)6.110 km95 km (59 mi) to the NENorth Pacific Ocean, 84 km southwest of Acajutla, El Salvador 2 reportsInfoAug 24, 2013 06:58 pm (Universal Time)5.3456 km19 km (12 mi) to the NWNorth Pacific Ocean, 241 km south of Guatemala City, GuatemalaInfoMar 10, 2013 04:18 am (GMT -6)5.58 km56 km (35 mi) to the NENorth Pacific Ocean, 204 km south of Guatemala City, GuatemalaInfoNov 7, 2012 10:35 am (GMT -6)7.424 km192 km (119 mi) to the NWNorth Pacific Ocean, 34 km south of Champerico, Guatemala 8 reportsInfoOct 5, 2012 12:22 pm (GMT -6)5.541 km80 km (50 mi) to the NWNorth Pacific Ocean, 209 km southwest of Guatemala City, GuatemalaInfoAug 26, 2012 10:37 pm (GMT -6)7.328 km268 km (166 mi) to the E 126 km S of Puerto El Triunfo, El SalvadorInfoApr 16, 2001 03:54 pm (GMT -6)5.433 km89 km (56 mi) to the NNorth Pacific Ocean, 95 km south of La Gomera, GuatemalaInfoJan 13, 2001 11:33 am (El Salvador)7.760 km265 km (165 mi) to the E 28 km SSW of Puerto El Triunfo, El SalvadorInfoMar 27, 2000 06:26 pm (GMT -6)5.455 km95 km (59 mi) to the NNorth Pacific Ocean, 69 km south of Puerto San Jose, GuatemalaInfoFeb 25, 1996 08:17 am (GMT -6)5.98 km54 km (34 mi) to the NNorth Pacific Ocean, 196 km south of Guatemala City, GuatemalaInfoJul 21, 1993 04:06 pm (GMT -6)5.610 km101 km (63 mi) to the NNorth Pacific Ocean, 64 km south of Puerto San Jose, GuatemalaInfoSep 3, 1992 08:30 am (GMT -6)6.350 km91 km (56 mi) to the WNorth Pacific Ocean, 299 km southwest of Guatemala City, GuatemalaInfoApr 1, 1992 04:15 am (GMT -6)6.050 km61 km (38 mi) to the NWNorth Pacific Ocean, 204 km southwest of Guatemala City, GuatemalaInfoMar 4, 1992 03:24 pm (GMT -6)5.450 km86 km (53 mi) to the SWNorth Pacific Ocean, 280 km south of Escuintla, GuatemalaInfoJan 18, 1992 01:27 pm (GMT -6)5.950 km80 km (49 mi) to the SWNorth Pacific Ocean, 258 km south of Escuintla, GuatemalaInfoJan 14, 1992 04:56 am (GMT -6)5.550 km58 km (36 mi) to the SNorth Pacific Ocean, 262 km south of Escuintla, GuatemalaInfoJan 7, 1992 06:22 am (GMT -6)5.650 km74 km (46 mi) to the SNorth Pacific Ocean, 278 km south of Escuintla, GuatemalaInfoJan 29, 1991 04:46 pm (GMT -6)5.451 km49 km (30 mi) to the NNorth Pacific Ocean, 199 km south of Guatemala City, GuatemalaInfoDec 1, 1983 09:09 pm (Guatemala)7.067 km201 km (125 mi) to the NW offshore GuatemalaInfoNov 24, 1982 04:23 am (GMT -6)5.529 km33 km (21 mi) to the NNorth Pacific Ocean, 214 km south of Guatemala City, GuatemalaInfoJun 19, 1982 12:21 am (El Salvador)7.273 km202 km (125 mi) to the NENorth Pacific Ocean, 45 km southwest of San Salvador, El SalvadorInfoApr 29, 1970 08:01 am (GMT -6)7.335 km287 km (178 mi) to the NW offshore Chiapas, MexicoInfoSep 28, 1967 11:18 pm (GMT -6)5.221 km18 km (11 mi) to the SWNorth Pacific Ocean, 260 km south of Guatemala City, GuatemalaInfoJun 2, 1963 04:21 pm (GMT -6)5.8100 km85 km (53 mi) to the NWNorth Pacific Ocean, 190 km southwest of Guatemala City, GuatemalaInfoMar 24, 1957 08:28 pm (GMT -6)5.625 km57 km (36 mi) to the NNorth Pacific Ocean, 193 km south of Guatemala City, GuatemalaInfoJul 3, 1956 09:46 am (GMT -6)5.625 km90 km (56 mi) to the NENorth Pacific Ocean, 80 km south of Puerto San Jose, GuatemalaInfoOct 23, 1950 04:13 pm (Universal Time)7.165 km225 km (140 mi) to the NW 1 km NNW of Champerico, GuatemalaInfoJun 28, 1944 07:58 am (Universal Time)7.025 km287 km (178 mi) to the NWNorth Pacific Ocean, 98 km southwest of Tapachula, Estado de Chiapas, MexicoInfoAug 6, 1942 11:37 pm (Universal Time)7.735 km154 km (96 mi) to the NNorth Pacific Ocean, 63 km southwest of Escuintla, GuatemalaInfoJan 20, 1939 08:40 pm (Universal Time)6.215 km73 km (45 mi) to the NWNorth Pacific Ocean, 194 km southwest of Guatemala City, GuatemalaInfoDec 14, 1935 10:05 pm (Universal Time)7.335 km289 km (180 mi) to the NW 4.1 km southwest of Puerto Madero, Estado de Chiapas, MexicoInfoSep 26, 1931 08:03 pm (Universal Time)6.315 km73 km (45 mi) to the NWNorth Pacific Ocean, 213 km southwest of Guatemala City, GuatemalaInfoApr 27, 1929 11:41 am (Universal Time)5.715 km47 km (29 mi) to the NNorth Pacific Ocean, 200 km south of Guatemala City, GuatemalaInfoJan 24, 1929 08:36 pm (Universal Time)7.015 km63 km (39 mi) to the NE offshore GuatemalaInfoFeb 8, 1926 03:18 pm (Universal Time)7.120 km243 km (151 mi) to the ENorth Pacific Ocean, 161 km south of San Salvador, El SalvadorInfoJul 17, 1919 04:19 pm (Universal Time)6.015 km38 km (24 mi) to the WNorth Pacific Ocean, 255 km south of Guatemala City, GuatemalaInfoSep 6, 1915 07:20 pm (El Salvador)7.90 km277 km (172 mi) to the NEDepartamento de Chalatenango, 40 km northeast of San Salvador, El SalvadorInfoApr 18, 1902 08:23 pm (Guatemala)7.50 km169 km (105 mi) to the NInfoMap of earlier quakes in the area of this quakeMax results102050100AllMagnitudeAll2+3+4+5+6+7+8+Time before48 hours1 week30 days1 year5 years30 yearsAny ageOldest quakes are shown in yellow, most recent in red.[quakes -][quakes +][smaller][bigger]