Earthquake hits El Salvador coast

Nature Posted on 28/08/2012

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An earthquake hit not far from the coast of El Salvador on Sunday 26 August, reaching a magnitude of 7.3 and generating a small tsunami.

Local authorities reported on Monday that neither the earthquake nor the following tsunami caused any immediate damage or casualties.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has advised tourists in the area to be aware of what to do in the event of an earthquake or tsunami, but has not advised against travel to the country. Flights to the region are also unaffected.

The earthquake struck about 70 miles south of the city of Puerto El Triunfo at 22:37 local time. Few people reported feeling the tremors or the aftershock, which arrived an hour later.

A tsunami warning was issued for Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Panama and Mexico after the earthquake struck but was later rescinded. Only a 3.94 inch tsunami was registered off Acajutla, on the west coast of El Salvador.

El Salvador forms part of the 'Pacific Ring of Fire', an arc of fault lines that surrounds the Pacific Basin and is prone to earthquakes throughout the year.

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In brief : Nature