A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit the Mexican state of Michoacan early Thursday, the second powerful earthquake to hit the region this week.
The earthquake struck shortly after 1 a.m., just three days after a 7.6-magnitude earthquake shook western and central Mexico, killing two.
The U.S. Geological Survey said Thursday’s earthquake, like Monday’s, was centered in the western state of Michoacan near the Pacific coast. The epicenter was about 29 miles south-southwest of Aguililla, Michoacan, at a depth of about 15 miles.
USGS initially estimated Thursday’s quake to be 7.0 in magnitude, but later downgraded it to 6.8.
Monday’s more powerful quake was the third major earthquake to strike on Sept. 19 – in 1985, 2017 and now 2022. The 2017 and 2022 Sept. 19 quakes came very shortly after the annual earthquake drill conducted every Sept. 19 to commemorate the devastating 1985 temblor that killed some 9,500 people.