Trembling in Mexico: earthquake of magnitude 4.0

Salina Cruz was the epicenter of a magnitude 4.0 earthquake that surprised the inhabitants of the state of Oaxaca today at 0:51am local time (6:51 UTC).

The earthquake happened 97 km south of the city and had a depth of 16 kilometers, according to preliminary information.

The extent of the affectation in terms of material damage and human casualties is still unknown, given the novelty of the telluric movement in the state of Oaxaca. In the

face of significant seismic activity, the National Center for Disaster Prevention (Cenapred) recommends not falling into rumors or false news and only reporting to official sources, such as the Civil Protection authorities, both local and state, as well as federal.

After an earthquake, check your home for possible damage, use your cell phone only in case of emergency, do not wear matches or candles until you make sure there is no gas leak and remember that replicas of the earthquake may occur, so it is important to be alert.

You can also take the following steps before an earthquake: prepare a civil protection plan, organize evacuation drills, find safety zones at home, school or workplace, and prepare an emergency backpack.

During an earthquake, stay calm and stay in a safe zone, stay away from objects that may fall; if you are in a car, park and stay away from buildings, trees and poles; and if you are located on the coast, stay away from the beach and take refuge in high areas.

Earthquakes in Mexico

Mexicans are used to this type of event, since the country is located in an area of high seismicity. It is worth recalling the great impact of the earthquakes of 1985 and 2017, which caused great havoc throughout the Aztec territory. However, there are records of even more destructive movements in the history of this Latin American nation.

The strongest earthquake recorded in the history of what Mexico today had its epicenter in Oaxaca. On March 28, 1787, the earth shook with the force of 8.6. Not only did the land vibrate, but also the sea showed its fury with a tsunami that went up to 6 kilometers beyond the coastline.

Far from considering it an isolated event, the Centre for Instrumentation and Seismic Recording (Cires) considers the possibility that the country will face a similar situation in the near future. In the studies carried out in 2009 to analyze the aforementioned event, it was concluded that earthquakes of a similar magnitude may develop in the area between the coasts of Mexico and Central America. There, in the so-called Guerrero Breach, there is great geological potential to provoke catastrophes of such proportions.

However, seismic events of lower magnitudes can also cause great destruction. During 1985 and 2017, Mexicans watched with astonishment as the country's capital plunged into chaos due to two earthquakes of less intensity than in 1787.

On September 19, 1985, an earthquake of magnitude 8.2 occurred, with an epicenter in the state of Guerrero. It was 07:19 local time (13:19 UTC). At that time, it was thought that there would be no more earthquakes of such dimensions, but a related event occurred exactly 32 years later.

The year 2017 was recorded at 13.14 local hours (18:30 UTC) with an epicenter in the borders of the states of Puebla and Morelos and left a total of 369 deaths in the center of the country.

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EARTHQUAKES