Acapulco, Guerrero, records tremor of magnitude 4.8

The inhabitants of the city of Acapulco experienced an earthquake that reached magnitude 4.8 and had a depth of 22 kilometers.

According to preliminary information, the earthquake occurred today at 13:53 local time (19:53 UTC), with an epicenter of 6 km southwest of the city in the state of Guerrero.

There is still no news of the victims and material damage caused by this telluric movement in the state of Guerrero. 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 a tremor, check your house for possible damage, use your phone only in case of emergency, do not light matches or candles until you make sure there is no gas leak and remember that aftershocks of the earthquake may occur, so it is important to stay alert.

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

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

Earthquakes in Mexico

It is worth noting that Mexico is at constant risk of to experience an earthquake of great magnitude, such as those that happened in September 1985 and 2017. Such movements caused misfortunes and, despite being the most remembered, have not been the largest in the country.

On March 28, 1787, a colonial Oaxaca was shaken by what has been the strongest earthquake recorded in Mexico so far. With a magnitude of 8.6, it was followed by a tsunami that went 6 kilometers beyond the coast.

According to the data of the Centre for Instrumentation and Seismic Recording (Cires), carried out in 2009 on the earthquake cited, there is the possibility of a repetition of events above this magnitude. It is estimated that they may occur in the years to come. Its epicenter is calculated on the coasts of Mexico and Central America, since these are located in the so-called Guerrero Breach. This area is characterized by the accumulation of a large amount of geological energy.

However, a smaller magnitude in a seismic event does not necessarily translate into a minor impact on buildings and infrastructure. Thus, in 1985 and 2017, the inhabitants of the capital, Mexico City, had to face the devastation resulting from two earthquakes that became a water part of their lives.

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.

In 2017, it happened at 13:14 local time (18:30 UTC), with epicenter in an area between the states of Puebla and Morelos. Then, the death toll reached 369.

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EARTHQUAKES