M4.5 Earthquake 5 km WNW of Colonia Lealtad, Mexico — March 12, 2026
2026-03-12 20:45:54 UTC (2026-03-12) · approx. 2:45 PM UTC-6 local
On March 12, 2026 at 20:45 UTC, a magnitude 4.5 shallow crustal earthquake struck 5 km WNW of Colonia Lealtad, Mexico, at a depth of 23.4 km and coordinates 17.9877°, -94.9450°. This earthquake was detected by 56 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 312, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.5 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 85 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 767 m — 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
-94.9450°E
Technical Information
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Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.5 earthquake near Colonia Lealtad, Mexico?
The magnitude 4.5 earthquake that struck 5 km WNW of Colonia Lealtad, Mexico on March 12, 2026 at 20:45 UTC had a depth of 23.4 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at 17.9877°, -94.9450°, which is 5 km WNW of Colonia Lealtad, Mexico. View all earthquakes in Mexico.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.5 earthquakes can continue for several days 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 4.5 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: us6000sfxr). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, March 12, 2026). M4.5 Earthquake 5 km WNW of Colonia Lealtad, Mexico — March 12, 2026. Retrieved May 12, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000sfxr/