Very Strong and Long Earthquake Hits Guatemala

First of all, I want to thank all the people who got in touch just to make sure I was not under a ruin.

Guatemala was hit today at 13:29 local time (GMT -6) by an earthquake of magnitude of 6.8 (or 6.6, 5.9, 5.4 depends who you read) and duration of 49 seconds. Boy oh boy the land shook, the old houses roared for what seemed forever. Less than two minutes after the land finally stopped moving I checked Automatic Geofon Global Seismic Monitor which registered the earthquake’s epicenter just offshore, on the Pacific Ocean, with a magnitude for 5.9 (it was later updated to 6.6). In the news, they talked about numbers as high as 7.6; but one thing everyone got right it was extremely long: over 40 seconds and down here it felt even longer. According to the backlog, there have been three earthquakes in Guatemala in the last week.

I went to pick my girlfriend at home for lunch and in my way there and back I did not see any damages. So I believe there are no casualties around the area. I haven’t got the chance to see the news for reports around the country.

The emergency services were in full alert and many people suffered panic attacks. Fortunately, no casualties have been listed around La Antigua or in Guatemala. So far so good.

patsy poor says:

June 14, 2007 at 12:10 am

when we lived in california 1962 to 1965 there was a quake in alaska and we felt it scared me to death. when the ground shakes you have no place to run. i am glad no deaths. i have been searching the news and they are not reporting any deaths.

Jerry says:

June 14, 2007 at 6:19 am

I am glad you are OK and all seems OK around you. Not much news about the earthquake here. Every paradise has it’s downside. Here we are gearing up for hurricane season. At least in your paradise, you have all of the beauty, culture, mountains, history, and fabulous weather! Blessings to you and your family.

Becky says:

June 14, 2007 at 8:40 am

We were able to contact our son close to Volcan Santaguito, and before our cell conversation got cut off by a big thunderstorm passing by him, we were told all was okay out in the countryside. He was in his classroom with the finca students when it hit, and he said the children were so excited!! It was very mild rumble where he was, but lasted for over 20 seconds, which must seem like an hour when you are in it !!

So glad to hear there were no damages, except for minor episodes, and that Antigua de Guatemala is still as beautiful as ever.

Ann says:

June 14, 2007 at 8:41 am

It must have been frightening to feel the earth shaking for 40 seconds! I’m glad to hear that you and your family are alright and that there are no serious injuries or damage to report so far.

Lessie says:

June 14, 2007 at 9:29 am

40 seconds! Doesn’t sound long until you start counting it! So glad no obvious damage or causalties.

Herbasio says:

June 14, 2007 at 9:34 am

Gracias a Dios todo está bien!!

Kate I says:

June 14, 2007 at 10:27 am

I am so glad that you are all ok and there are no casualties around Antiqua. Yes, 40 seconds can seem like an eternity when something like that happens!

ale says:

June 14, 2007 at 12:05 pm

stay safe man.

Javier says:

June 14, 2007 at 12:31 pm

Glad to hear you are all fine, I spoke to my family in Guatemala City they are all ok. I will be in Guate next month, visiting the Abuelita cannot wait to visit Antigua again.

Pamela says:

June 15, 2007 at 6:25 pm

Glad to hear all is well.

Meg says:

June 23, 2007 at 9:29 pm

I was in Ensenal, a Guatemala City suburb, when the earthquake hit. This earthquake was incredibly long and had a long wavelength feeling, not that quick shaking I know from California earthquakes. Weird!

Expat Mom says:

April 5, 2009 at 6:48 am

What I detest about these quakes are all the aftershocks. I was jumping up and moving to get the kids out half the night!

Very Strong and Long Earthquake Hits Guatemala

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