Earthquake Near Baja Peninsula

An earthquake shook the ground 47miles north of La Paz, Mexico, on Mexico's Baja Peninsula. No injuries were reported, for the area has a small population. It was noted that quakes rarely happen in the area, despite it being near the Pacific Plate and Caribbean Plate boundary.

Location of La Paz, Mexico. On Baja Peninsula
photo credit: Google maps

Reportedly, the earthquake was ranked 6.2-magnitude (out of 10+) on the Richter scale. It was 6 miles (10km) deep, which makes it a shallow earthquake. Shallow earthquakes are stronger than deep earthquakes because they happen closer to the earth's crust. The crust is much cooler in comparison to the mantle (next layer into the earth). So, when tension builds and builds and builds, it snaps, like an icicle, versus a less violent break, like splitting a warm brownie.

Location of Baja Peninsula, along Pacific and Caribbean Plate boundary
photo credit:  http://www.learner.org/interactives/dynamicearth/images/new_map.jpg

source: 
http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/25/world/americas/mexico-earthquake/index.html