Magnitude 6.9 Quake Strikes Near Baja California

The quake was felt as far away as Phoenix, AZ. The temblor also produced alarm in the San Diego, California area. Authorities in the two states on either side of the quake, Baja California and Sonora, said there were no reports of damage or injuries. The 6.9 quake came minutes after two others calculated at magnitudes 5.8 and 5.0, according to the USGS.

Baja California emergency services director Alfredo Escobedo said there was a very minor chance of a localized tsunami in the region. However, no warning was given.

All of the quakes were centered in the middle of the gulf between Baja California and the Mexican mainland. This should, in fact, reduce the chance for large scale destruction.

Although Mexico is prone to earthquakes, as is California, damage from quakes centered on the Mexican mainland is usually severe, as they do not follow the same strict building codes as California does.