In Mexico, earthquakes have been a constant threat throughout its history, causing significant devastation and loss of human life. Despite the inevitability of these natural events, it has been shown that mitigation policies and rapid response can make a difference in the number of victims and the speed of recovery.
One of the most devastating earthquakes in Mexico's recent memory occurred on September 19, 2017, exactly 32 years after the 1985 earthquake. Although the magnitude of this quake was lower than that of 1985, it resulted in more than 370 deaths and thousands of injuries, with a particularly strong impact in Mexico City and the states of Morelos, Puebla, and Oaxaca.
Despite technological advancements and regulations implemented after the 1985 earthquake, the 2017 quake highlighted the continuing vulnerability of Mexico City to earthquakes and the need to improve safety measures. Just a few days earlier, southern Mexico had also been shaken by another large-magnitude earthquake, prompting the country to develop better regulations to prevent future disasters, considering the high seismic activity in the region.
Throughout Mexico's history, other equally devastating earthquakes have left deep scars. For example, the 1985 earthquake, with a magnitude of 8.1, caused one of the greatest tragedies in the country's history and marked the beginning of a new era in disaster management, leading to the creation of specialized agencies such as the National Civil Protection System.
Additionally, historic earthquakes like the one in 1787 in Oaxaca and the one in 1957 in Mexico City have provided valuable lessons on the importance of prevention, citizen awareness, and institutional response in crisis situations. Over the centuries, Mexico has learned to rise in the face of adversity and has strengthened its disaster response capacity.
Each earthquake has left a mark on the country's collective memory, driving advances in seismic prevention, institutional response, and citizen solidarity. Although earthquakes are unpredictable events, Mexico has repeatedly demonstrated its resilience and capacity for reconstruction in the face of the worst tragedies. Unity and collective effort have been key to overcoming the challenges posed by the relentless force of nature.
