The 1773 Guatemala earthquake strikes the central…

The 1773 Guatemala earthquake strikes the central American country of Guatemala on July 29 with an estimated epicentral magnitude of 7.5 Mi, followed by numerous aftershocks that last until December 1773.

The series of all these earthquakes is also referred to as the Santa Marta earthquake(s) as it had started on the feast day of Saint Martha.

With an intensity of approximately VII (Very Strong) to VIII (Destructive) on the mercalli intensity scale, the Santa Marta earthquakes have destroyed much of Antigua Guatemala, which is at this time the colonial capital of Central America.

About five hundred to six hundred people had died immediately and at least another six hundred die from starvation and disease as a result of the earthquake.

The event has significant impact on the number of religious personnel in the area, especially the Mercedarian Order, with the count reduced almost by half and a similar reduction in the amount of income received.

The destruction of the colonial capital leads to the third change in location for the city, this time to ...