USGSMexico could face huge levels of destruction after an 8.4 magnitude earthquake was felt 1,380 miles away in Austin, Texas, from the epicentre 76 miles from Pijijiapan, according to the US geological survey.
Witnesses said people were running out into the street as the quake struck and a possible tsunami means fear levels have reached fever pitch.
The epicentre was 76 miles southwest of Pijijiapan at a depth of 33km and was felt throughout Mexico.
The US Tsunami Warning System said widespread hazardous tsunami waves were possible within the next three hours around the Pacific coast with Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Honduras and Ecuador in most danger.
Naturally, social media users took to Twitter to share their experiences of the quake:
This is from an office in Mexico City hit by the 8.4 earthquake.pic.twitter.com/PRkKUDsfEl
— Mikel Jollett (@Mikel_Jollett) September 8, 2017
That earthquake in Mexico was so hard my family in Guatemala felt it
— Abigail? (@wildabsters) September 8, 2017
A Strong Earthquake off the South Coast Has Shaken Mexico City https://t.co/VI5gBxBBh2 ^Time pic.twitter.com/eF6AJahMIQ
— No More Excuses (@_NoMoreExcuses) September 8, 2017
Dang dat earthquake dat hit Mexico and tsunami building up ain't no joke bruh
— Hugo Herrera (@JuiceBruhh) September 8, 2017
worried for the people in southern Mexico that were struck by that 8.0 earthquake. Evacuate if told to! Tsunami danger could be very serious
— Cuauhtémoc Rodriguez (@melodramapapi) September 8, 2017
Mexico just had an earthquake, the world is in complete and utter chaos ?
— Da Wordsmith ? (@SRNTYmusik) September 8, 2017
Mexico’s last quake was recorded in 2014 with a magnitude of 7.4 hitting Guerrero close to Acapulco. The last 8.0 magnitude quake was back in 1995.
Our thoughts are with all those involved.
Taking the idea of ‘being woke’ to a whole new level over a decade-long career in sport, court and online news, George has worked for titles and agencies including ESPN FC, Eurosport, LADbible and Court News UK. He may not have a degree but does have an unhealthy obsession with Lord of the Rings.