M5.3 Earthquake 90 km WSW of Puerto Madero, Mexico — December 22, 2025
2025-12-22 02:20:23 UTC (2025-12-22) · approx. 8:20 PM UTC-6 local
On December 22, 2025 at 02:20 UTC, a magnitude 5.3 shallow crustal earthquake struck 90 km WSW of Puerto Madero, Mexico, at a depth of 35.0 km and coordinates 14.3738°, -93.1789°. This earthquake was detected by 159 seismic stations with good location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 432, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 5.3 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 1 kilotons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 2.7 km — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
The epicenter is located in Mexico, a region characterized by the Middle America Trench, where the Cocos Plate subducts beneath the North American Plate. The nearest mapped fault system is the Middle America Trench. View all earthquakes in Mexico.
Learn more: Magnitude scale · Aftershock sequences
Earthquake Details
-93.1789°E
Technical Information
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 5.3 earthquake near Puerto Madero, Mexico?
The magnitude 5.3 earthquake that struck 90 km WSW of Puerto Madero, Mexico on December 22, 2025 at 02:20 UTC had a depth of 35.0 km. For context, this was a moderate earthquake that could be widely felt.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at 14.3738°, -93.1789°, which is 90 km WSW of Puerto Madero, Mexico. View all earthquakes in Mexico.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 5.3 earthquakes can continue for days to weeks and gradually diminish over time.
Has Mexico had earthquakes this big before?
The largest recorded earthquake in Mexico was the M8.1 Chiapas earthquake of September 8, 2017. Today's magnitude 5.3 event is significantly smaller than that historical record.
What should I do after an earthquake?
If you were in the affected area: check yourself and others for injuries, inspect your home for damage, and be prepared for aftershocks. For detailed guidance, see our earthquake safety guide and emergency planning resources.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000rwex). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2025, December 22, 2025). M5.3 Earthquake 90 km WSW of Puerto Madero, Mexico — December 22, 2025. Retrieved May 23, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000rwex/