US: Powerful 5.8 Magnitude Shallow Earthquake Hits Gulf Of California

Mark Dunphy
Irish Weather
Tue, 26 Jul 2011 07:56 UTC

© Google Earth

The Gulf of California, a body of water that separates the Baja California Peninsula from the Mexican mainland, was struck by a powerful shallow earthquake Tuesday morning.

The 5.8 magnitude quake struck at 11.44a.m. local time. The epicentre was situated 86 km (53 miles) southwest of Los Mochis, Sinaloa; 138 km (85 miles) north-northeast of La Paz, Baja California Sur; and 142 km (88 miles) west-southwest of Guamuchil, Sinaloa (Mexico).

The US Geological Survey (USGS) measured the seaquake depth at a shallow 10.2 kilometres (6.3 miles).

Light to moderate shaking was reported in La Paz, Los Mochis, Guasave and Guamuchil for up to 20 minutes after the magnitude quake struck.

© Google Earth

Location of Tuesday's earthquake