1980 Central Mexico earthquake
Encyclopedia
The 1980 Oaxaca earthquake
occurred on October 24, 1980. It killed 300 and measured 7.0 on the surface wave measurement scale
. Leaving many injured, the quake left approximately 150,000 homeless and caused extensive damage, mainly in the Huajuapan de León
region of the state of Oaxaca
. It was felt throughout southern Mexico
as well and in Guatemala
.
Earthquake
An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. The seismicity, seismism or seismic activity of an area refers to the frequency, type and size of earthquakes experienced over a period of time...
occurred on October 24, 1980. It killed 300 and measured 7.0 on the surface wave measurement scale
Surface wave magnitude
The surface wave magnitude scale is one of the magnitude scales used in seismology to describe the size of an earthquake. It is based on measurements in Rayleigh surface waves that travel primarily along the uppermost layers of the earth...
. Leaving many injured, the quake left approximately 150,000 homeless and caused extensive damage, mainly in the Huajuapan de León
Huajuapan de leon
Heroica Ciudad de Huajuapan de León; in , meaning Place of Brave People) is a rural city with a surrounding municipality located in the northwestern part of the Mexican state of Oaxaca....
region of the state of Oaxaca
Oaxaca
Oaxaca , , officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Oaxaca is one of the 31 states which, along with the Federal District, comprise the 32 federative entities of Mexico. It is divided into 571 municipalities; of which 418 are governed by the system of customs and traditions...
. It was felt throughout southern Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
as well and in Guatemala
Guatemala
Guatemala is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast...
.