An earth quake of magnitude 7.2 strikes Baja California and Mexico

An earth quake of magnitude 7.2 strikes Baja California and MexicoThe U. S. Geological Survey has said that a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck in Baja California, Mexico, on Sunday.

Authorities informed that the quake struck at 3:40 p. m. PDT about 16 miles south-southwest of Guadalupe Victoria and about 108 miles from Tijuana, Baja California. It was initially said by Caltech seismologists that the magnitude of quake was 6.9 but they updated that figure about an hour after the quake struck.

The Los Angeles Times also reported that it has been called the strongest quake in the region in almost 20 years and estimated about 20 million people felt it in the Southwest and Mexico.

An aftershock of magnitude about 6 is likely in the next few days. A triggered quake of magnitude 4.1 was observed in the Santa Monica Bay area following the Baja California quake, USGS seismologist Lucy Jones said.

There were reports the quake was felt as far away as Bakersfield, Calif., north of Los Angeles and as far east as Phoenix. Witnesses reported a gentle rolling motion that lasted for about 40 seconds. There were no initial reports of injuries or serious damage.

Some people were trapped in an elevator in a high-rise hotel at the Disneyland resort in Orange County, Calif., KABC-TV reported. The TV station further said that according to park officials, all rides at the resort were shut down following the quake. (With Inputs from Agencies)