Magnitude 4.4 Earthquake Struck 11 km SE of Ocós, Guatemala on August 27, 2024 05:38:47

Last Updated: 2024-09-23 07:43:54

On August 27, 2024 05:38:47 an earthquake with magnitude of 4.4 on the richter scale hit 11 km SE of Ocós, Guatemala. The earthquake originated at a depth of approximately 59.176 kilometers below the Earth's surface on longitude -92.131° and latitude 14.424°. According to documented reports 2 people felt the earth quake, No tsunami was triggered due to the earthquake.

Magnitude & Depth

The earthquake that appeared on August 27, 2024 05:38:47 had a magnitude of 4.4 on the richter scale. Which is considered to be a minor earthquake and is often felt but causes little to no damage.

Shallow earthquakes are considered between 0 and 70 km deep, while intermediate earthquakes range from 70 - 300 km deep and deep earthquakes are between 300 - 700 km deep.

Are shallow earthquakes more destructive?

Shallow quakes generally tend to be more damaging than deeper quakes. Seismic waves from deep quakes have to travel farther to the surface, losing energy along the way.

Nearby Cities and Towns

The nearest significant population center is Ocós in San Marcos Department, Guatemala, located 11 kilometers or 7 miles ↖ NW of the earthquake's epicenter. Other cities in close proximity include Brisas Barra de Suchiate (Chiapas, Mexico) located 15 km (9 mi) ↖ NW and La Libertad (Chiapas, Mexico) located 19 km (12 mi) ↖ NW of the epicenter.

In total, we found 188 cities in our database that might have been impacted by the earthquake.

Nearby Power Plants

We found a total 10 utility-scale power plants in the vecinity of the earthquakes epicenter. The closest being Olmeca III Waste power plant, located 24 kilometers (14 miles) ↖ NW from the epicenter.

Power Plants & Risks During Earthquakes

We found 4 types of power plants in the vecinity of the magnitude 4.4 earthquake that struck 11 km SE of Ocós, Guatemala on August 27, 2024 05:38:47. These types were Hydro power plants, Biomass power plants, Geothermal power plants, Waste power plants, below you find information how each type of power plant can pose a risk to you as a person or the ecosytem around you.

None of this information should be used as guidence in an event of an emergency, but rather as additional references to information provided by national, state and local authorities.

Hydropower

Hydropower plants are generally considered as safe in many aspects, but when it comes to severe earthquakes they pose a substantial risk that can manifest in the form of dam faliours, landslides and grave impacts on surrounding ecosystems.

Dam Failure

The most significant risk is the potential failure of the dam that holds the water reservoir. Severe ground shaking can damage or breach the dam, leading to downstream flooding and as a result endangering people and wildlife living downstream. Such an event can also have severe impact on key infrastructure that cascades through society.

Landslides

Earthquakes can trigger landslides in the areas surrounding hydropower plants, potentially damaging infrastructure and causing harm to nearby communities.

Damage to Aquatic Ecosystems

Both landslide and dam failures can have a severe impact on upstream and downstream aquatic wildlife, ecosystem and groundwater, resulting in longterm risks for people and industires living and operating in areas near the water supply.

To mitigate these risks, engineering and construction standards for hydropower plants often include earthquake-resistant designs. These designs incorporate measures such as flexible foundations, strengthened dam structures, and advanced monitoring systems to detect early signs of stress. Additionally, emergency plans and evacuation procedures should be in place to protect personnel and downstream communities in the event of a severe earthquake.

Geothermal Power

Geothermal power plants, which harness the Earth's internal heat for electricity generation, can pose certain risks during earthquakes, but they are generally considered to be low-risk when compared to other types of power plants such as nuclear facilities.

Surface Instability

Severe ground shaking during an earthquake can cause surface instability, potentially leading to landslides, subsidence, or ground rupture near the geothermal power plant. This may affect infrastructure, access roads, and nearby ecosystems.

Release of Harmful Gases

Utility-scale geothermal reservoirs may contain naturally occurring gases, including hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Seismic activity could potentially release these gases into the atmosphere, posing health risks to nearby communities if not properly managed.

Damage to Wells and Piping

Geothermal power plants rely on wells and piping systems to extract hot water or steam from the Earth's crust. Earthquake-induced ground movement can damage or rupture these wells and pipelines, disrupting the power generation process.

The geothermal power industry places a strong emphasis on safety and works closely with regulatory authorities to ensure that geothermal energy is generated with minimal risk to people and the environment, especially in earthquake-prone regions of the world.

Biomass Power

Biomass power plants, which generate electricity by burning organic materials like wood, agricultural residues, or waste, can pose certain risks during earthquakes. While biomass power plants are generally considered less hazardous than some other types of power generation facilities, yet there are still potential risks to be aware of.

Fire Risk

One of the primary risks associated with biomass power plants during earthquakes is the potential for fires. The shaking during an earthquake can damage electrical systems, equipment, and fuel storage, which may lead to electrical faults and fires.

Fuel Handling

Earthquakes can disrupt the fuel handling systems in a biomass plant, potentially causing spills or accidents related to the storage and transportation of biomass feedstock.

It's important to note that the specific risks associated with biomass power plants can vary based on factors such as plant size, location, and design. The biomass power industry prioritizes safety and works closely with regulatory authorities to ensure that biomass energy is generated with minimal risk to people and the environment, even in earthquake-prone regions.

Data Information

Information found on this page is a derivative set, based on sources mentioned below.

Data Sources

We aggregate and combine data from USGS (United States Geographical Survey) and the EMSC (European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre). This allow us to get near real-time and historical earthquake data dating back to the year 1950.

Disclaimer

Information or data found on this page should not be used for, or as an early warning system. It is intended as an historical reference or near real-time complementary information to offical and governmental sources. In an event of an emergency it is important closely monitor and follow advice from national, state and local authorities.