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Massive 6.9 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Mexico-Guatemala Border; 3 Dead

(CBS SF) -- A magnitude-6.9 earthquake hit a large area of southern Mexico and Central America Monday, killing at least three people and damaging dozens of homes.

The U.S. Geological Survey reports the quake struck at 6:23 a.m. local time (4:23 a.m PST) at 37 miles below the surface north-northeast of Puerto Madero near the Guatemala border. The quake was first calculated at a magnitude of 7.1 but was later lowered to 6.9.

quake
(USGS)

The quake was felt strongly in the Mexican states of Chiapas and Tabasco with an epicenter about 170 miles southwest of Mexico City.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reviewed the event but did not issue any warning to California or Hawaii based on the seismic data.

A magnitude-8.1 quake hit the region in 1985, killing at least 6,000 people and destroying many buildings in Mexico City.

Tweet from the Guatemala Firefighter Department: Damage to infrastructure in San Pedro Sacatepequez, San Marcos. @CBMDEPTAL continues to monitor the situation. 
https://twitter.com/aldiagt/statuses/486155618508881920
Tweet from Guatamala newspaper Al Dia: The town of Totonicapán took to the streets after a strong earthquakes of 6.4 shook Guatemala.

Tweet from the Guatemala Firefighter Department: Continue to conduct monitoring and counting of damage after earthquake, nationwide emergency
https://twitter.com/CBMDEPTAL/statuses/486155740714106880
Tweet from the Guatemala Firefighter Department: Damage to the Catholic Church of San Pedro Sacatepequez, San Marcos.

Read More: Number Of Major Quakes Has Doubled In 2014, But They Likely Aren't Linked

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