Twin 4.2 Magnitude Earthquakes Recorded Near Cihuatlán and Puerto Vallarta, No Damage Reported

PUERTO VALLARTA (PVDN) - On Tuesday, two mild earthquakes, both registering a magnitude of 4.2, shook the western Mexican coast near Cihuatlán, Jalisco, according to the National Seismological Service (NSS).

The first of the two seismic events occurred in the early hours, recorded at 03:58:15 local time, with its epicenter near the popular resort city of Puerto Vallarta, approximately 252 kilometers southwest of Cihuatlán. The earthquake originated at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers.

A second earthquake of equal magnitude was registered later that day at 18:28:48, with an epicenter located offshore, 99 kilometers northwest of Cihuatlán. This quake occurred at a slightly deeper depth of 21 kilometers.

The back-to-back earthquakes were notable for their close timing and matching magnitudes, although the coastal region frequently experiences seismic activity due to its proximity to tectonic plate boundaries.

Both earthquakes occurred offshore and were reported as imperceptible by local residents, according to the Civil Protection authorities, and no damage was recorded. The local authorities are continuously monitoring the situation, and a detailed geological examination is underway to understand the cause and potential implications of these seismic events.

The Civil Protection authorities took the opportunity to remind citizens about the importance of earthquake preparedness, emphasizing that even smaller, imperceptible earthquakes can sometimes be precursors to larger, potentially more damaging ones, although that is not the expectation of these two recent earthquakes.

Both Cihuatlán and Puerto Vallarta are located in the state of Jalisco, a region of Mexico known for its seismic activity due to the movement of the Rivera and North American tectonic plates.

These latest quakes, while minor, serve as a reminder of the ever-present geological forces at work beneath the Earth's surface and the ongoing need for readiness and vigilance in regions prone to seismic activity.