 A damaged convent nearVolcán de Agua | |
  Antigua Guatemala  | |
| Local date | July 29, 1773 (1773-07-29) |
|---|---|
| Local time | 15:45 |
| Magnitude | ~7.5 Mi |
| Depth | Unknown |
| Epicenter | 14°36′N90°42′W / 14.6°N 90.7°W /14.6; -90.7 |
| Areas affected | At or nearAntigua Guatemala |
| Max. intensity | MMI VII (Very strong) –MMI VIII (Severe) |
| Casualties | 500–600 fatalities |
The1773 Guatemala earthquake struckcolonial Guatemala on July 29 at 15:45 local time.[1] It had an estimated epicentral magnitude of 7.5 Mi.[2] It was part of a sequence that started in May that year. There were two strongforeshocks on June 11 and the mainshock was followed by numerousaftershocks which lasted until December 1773.[1] The series of all these earthquakes is also referred to as theSanta Marta earthquake(s) as it had started on thefeast day of SaintMartha.
With an intensity of approximately VII (Very strong) to VIII (Severe) on theMercalli intensity scale,[2] the Santa Marta earthquakes destroyed much ofSantiago de los Caballeros de Guatemala (modernAntigua Guatemala), which was at that time the colonial capital of Central America. About 500–600 people died immediately and at least another 600 died from starvation and disease as a result of the earthquake.[2] The event had significant impact on the number of religious personnel in the area, especially theMercedarian Order, with the count reduced almost by half and a similar reduction in the amount of income received.[3]
Spanish authorities had previously considered moving the capital to a different location after the devastation of the1717 Guatemala earthquake and decided after the 1773 event not to rebuild the city. In 1776 the capital was moved to the new city of Guatemala of Asuncion, known today asGuatemala City.[2]
