The New York Post reports that a powerful earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.0, hit near the Mexican resort city of Acapulco (pop 675,000), located on the Pacific Ocean on Tuesday, Sept 7, 2021.

According to the US Geological Survey, the quake’s epicentre was 10 miles Northeast of the city. Fortunately, there was no major damage in Acapulco, but there were reports of gas leaks, landslides and walls collapsing. There was only one reported death after a person was killed by a falling post in a community outside Acapulco.

The earthquake also caused buildings to sway and windows to break in Mexico City that is about 300 KMS (200 miles) away.

According to the New York Post, an 8.2 magnitude coincidentally hit Mexico on exactly the same day, four years earlier. The epicentre for that quake was also in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of the southern Mexican state of Chipas. The town of Juchitán was largely destroyed and dozens of people were killed in that quake.

Speaking of the end times, Jesus warned that one of the signs of His return would be an increase in earthquakes in various places. However, they would only be an indicator that the birth pangs have started:

⁶ You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. ⁷ For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. ⁸ But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. (Matthew 24:6-8 NASV)

READ: Strong earthquake hits near Acapulco, buildings sway in Mexico City

Below is the current 8 point magnitude ranking for earthquakes, including associated damage:

• 1.0-2.0 magnitude: People will not feel these earthquakes, but instruments will detect them.
• 3.0 magnitude: People indoors will feel a bit of a tremor similar to the passing of a large truck
• 4.0 magnitude: An earthquake this large can crack walls. It will weaken trees.
• 5.0 magnitude: Furniture will move in homes, and it can damage poorly constructed buildings.
• 6.0 magnitude: At this level, walls can collapse. Fireplaces are particularly vulnerable. Depending on the quality of construction, damage can range from moderate to heavy.
• 7.0 magnitude: All buildings near the epicentre will suffer major damage. There will also be cracks in the ground and potential for landslides.
• 8.0 magnitude: It will destroy all buildings.