The 1902 Guatemala earthquake occurred on April 18 at 8:23 pm with a moment magnitude of 7.5 and a maximum Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe).

Before the main shock, there was an earthquake swarm which persisted for three months, and the tremors afterward lasted for more than two weeks.

A majority of churches in western Guatemala and eastern Chiapas were either severely devastated or abolished.

[1][2] A strange occurrence of heavy rains, lightning, and thunder took place shortly before the earthquake.

Guatemala City was instantly flooded when massive gaps opened in the streets, water pipes ruptured, and huts along with cathedrals disintegrated and collapsed, which also buried hundreds.