Just after six days from the devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Haiti, at 10:40 a.m. EST, a massive earthquake struck Guatemala City which is about 60 miles away from Republic of Guatemala, 39km west-southwest of Ahuachapan, El Salvador and 53km west-southwest of Cuilapa. A 6.0 magnitude earthquake shook the whole city vigorously from about 64 miles below the earth, taking citizens by surprise.
Guatemala City has been affected several times by earthquakes. The worst quakes were registered in 1917/1918 and 1976. There are also four volcanoes, which are visible from the city, two of them active. The nearest and most active is Pacaya, which at times expels a considerable amount of ash. Mudslides are common there as well because due to heavy rainfalls some of the humble neighborhoods built at the edge of steep valleys are frequently washed away and buried under mudslides, as in October 2005.
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