In Mexico City, the activation of the seismic alert does not solely depend on the magnitude of the tremor. An alert signal is issued only if the earthquake has the potential to cause significant damage in the cities connected to the alert system, such as Mexico City, Puebla, Oaxaca, and others.
The Mexican Seismic Alert System (Sasmex) quickly evaluates the energy released by the earthquake and its possible impact on urban areas. The distance between the epicenter and the city to be alerted is also a crucial factor. This prevents unnecessary alarms that could cause panic or distrust in the system.
For the alert to be activated in the capital of the country, the earthquake must have at least a magnitude of 5.5 if the epicenter is close, or a magnitude greater than 6 if it is more than 350 kilometers away. This criterion seeks to balance prevention with the need to avoid false alarms.
The seismic alert system operates through a network of seismic sensors distributed in areas of high tectonic activity throughout the country. When the first waves of the seismic movement are detected, the seismic alert is activated as a civil protection measure.
The seismic alert is a vital tool in Mexico, providing the population with a few seconds of warning before the arrival of a strong earthquake. This allows for precautionary measures to be taken that can be key to saving lives in the event of an earthquake.
