05 Jan 2025 | 05:50 PM UTC
El Salvador: Mgnitude-6.2 earthquake occurs south of La Paz Department, on Jan. 5
Magnitude-6.2 earthquake occurs south of La Paz Department, El Salvador, Jan. 5. No immediate reports of damage or injuries.
A magnitude-6.2 earthquake occurred in the Pacific Ocean, south of La Paz Department, El Salvador, at around 11:18 on Jan. 5. The epicenter was about 29 km (18 miles) southwest of Playa Costa Del Sol and 68 km (42 miles) south of San Salvador. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 49 km (30 miles), and shaking was probably felt in most of El Salvador and areas in southeastern Guatemala, including the capital, Guatemala City, western and southern Honduras, and northwestern Nicaragua. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Aftershocks are possible over the coming days. The event has not prompted any tsunami advisories.
Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter.
Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.
