A tremor is recorded in Crucecita, Oaxaca

An earthquake of magnitude 4.0 occurred in the vicinity of Crucecita at 2:51 local time (8:51 UTC) today, according to the National Symological Service (SSN).

Preliminary information indicates that the epicenter of the earthquake was 52 km southeast of the city in the state of Oaxaca and had a depth of 23 km.

Due to the recent event, material damage and the number of victims of the telluric movement in the state of Oaxaca remain unquantified.

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

After an earthquake, check your house for possible damage, use your phone only in emergency, do not light matches or candles until you make sure there is no gas leak and remember that there may be aftershocks of the earthquake, 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, find 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 located on the coast, stay away from the beach and take refuge in high areas.

Earthquakes in Mexico

It should be mentioned 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.

During the colonial era, the strongest earthquake in the history of what is now Mexico occurred. It happened on March 28, 1787, its epicenter was in Oaxaca, it had a magnitude of 8.6. The movement was so violent that it caused not only the earth to shake, but also caused a tsunami that reached 6 kilometers inland.

Experts from the Centre for Instrumentation and Seismic Recording (Cires) believe that it will be possible to repeat similar situations in the near future. These conclusions emerged from a study dated in 2009 that sought to analyze the aforementioned event. It was said then that there may be earthquakes of a similar magnitude on the coasts of Mexico and Central America. This is because this area has great potential for events of a geological nature, given its location in the so-called Guerrero Breach.

However, such a great magnitude is not necessary to wreak chaos. Mexicans keep memories of minor earthquakes, which occurred in 1985 and 2017. On such occasions, the entire capital and states were paralyzed by the unparalleled consequences of such telluric movements.

On September 19, 1985 occurred at 7:19 local time (13:19 UTC) with a magnitude of 8.2 and with an epicenter in the state of Guerrero. Since that earthquake many thought that something like this would not happen again. But it happened again 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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