UPDATE: Death Toll Rises as Result of 7.1-M Mexico Quake

USGS map.

UPDATE: Sept. 20, 2017

News sources report that the death toll as of today, Wednesday, Sept. 20, has risen to 226.

ORIGINAL POST: Sept. 19, 2017

The U.S. Geological Survey has reported that a powerful, 7.1 magnitude (preliminary) earthquake has struck the Mexico City Puebla District today at about 7:15 a.m. HST.

The quake hit five miles southeast of Atencingo in the state of Puebla at a depth of 32 miles, the USGS said.

The earthquake has hit the area on the anniversary of the major 1985 quake.

News sources report that the quake has caused serious damage to buildings in Mexico City, leaving the most of the area without power.

The extent of damage has not yet been assessed, but local media in the Puebla area has reported that at least five people have been killed as a result of the quake.

Mexico City’s international airport suspended operations and is checking for damage.

Much of Mexico City is built on former lake bed, and the soil is known to amplify the effects of earthquakes even hundreds of miles away.

USGS map.

Mexico’s Puebla Region: Direction data indicate the position of the event relative to the place.

• Raboso, Mexico
  4.5 km (2.8 mi) ENE
  Population: 4,374
• Izúcar de Matamoros, Mexico
  7.2 km (4.5 mi) ESE
  Population: 42,936
• Atencingo, Mexico
  23.6 km (14.7 mi) ENE
  Population: 12,910
• Atlixco, Mexico
  36.1 km (22.4 mi) S
  Population: 85,891
• Puebla, Mexico
  55.0 km (34.1 mi) SSW
  Population: 1,590,256