M6.6 earthquake near Las Choapas, Veracruz

What happened

A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck 7 km SW of Helio García Alfaro, Mexico on 7 Apr 2011, 13:11 UTC at a depth of 166 km.

Earthquakes of this size are classed as Strong. Can cause damage in populated areas up to tens of kilometres away. This was an intermediate-depth earthquake, so shaking is spread over a wider, gentler area.

The nearest town in our records is Las Choapas, about 82 km away in Veracruz, Mexico.