M4.3 Earthquake 36 km WSW of El Arenal, Mexico — July 31, 2026
2026-07-31 19:57:27 UTC (2 hours ago) · approx. 1:57 PM UTC-6 local
On July 31, 2026 at 19:57 UTC, a magnitude 4.3 shallow crustal earthquake struck 36 km WSW of El Arenal, Mexico, at a depth of 68.0 km and coordinates 15.0665°, -93.0238°.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.3 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 43 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 558 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
This earthquake is part of an ongoing aftershock sequence following the magnitude 5.0 mainshock that occurred 14 days ago 46 km WSW of Aquiles Serdán, Mexico. Since the mainshock, the USGS has recorded 6 aftershocks in this area. Aftershock activity is expected to continue for days to weeks as stresses on surrounding faults redistribute.
Earthquake Details
-93.0238°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.3 earthquake near El Arenal, Mexico?
The magnitude 4.3 earthquake that struck 36 km WSW of El Arenal, Mexico on July 31, 2026 at 19:57 UTC had a depth of 68.0 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.3 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
Is this the same earthquake as the M5.0 one earlier?
No. This magnitude 4.3 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 5.0 mainshock that occurred earlier 46 km WSW of Aquiles Serdán, Mexico. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes triggered by stress changes from the mainshock.
Actions
Understanding This Data
Magnitude 4.3 earthquakes are often felt but rarely cause damage.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000thbi). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, July 31, 2026). M4.3 Earthquake 36 km WSW of El Arenal, Mexico — July 31, 2026. Retrieved July 31, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000thbi/