Mexico earthquake forces President Sheinbaum to evacuate the presidential palace
Mexico City experienced moments of tension and anxiety on Friday morning, following a powerful earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale, which prompted the activation of emergency protocols at the highest levels, including the evacuation of the presidential palace while President Claudia Sheinbaum was at a live press conference.
Details of the earthquake and the evacuation of the presidential palace
Mexico's National Seismological Service reported that an earthquake struck the southern state of Guerrero and was clearly felt in Mexico City. In a scene captured on camera, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum was forced to cut short her usual morning press conference and leave the room as soon as the earthquake sirens sounded, in accordance with the country's strict safety protocols.
President Sheinbaum returned a few minutes later to resume the press conference, confirming that the epicenter had been located 15 kilometers from San Marcos in the state of Guerrero, approximately 230 kilometers from the capital. She reassured the Mexican people that initial reports indicated no significant material damage or casualties in either the capital or the area around the epicenter.
Why is Mexico prone to violent earthquakes?
This event is particularly significant given Mexico's complex geological makeup. The country lies within the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region of intense seismic and volcanic activity. Earthquakes in this area are often caused by the collision of tectonic plates, specifically the oceanic Cocos Plate subducting beneath the North American continental plate, generating immense energy that is released in the form of earthquakes.
What makes the situation in Mexico City even more dangerous is the nature of its soil; the city is built on a sedimentary basin that was once the bed of an ancient lake (Lake Teixeco). This soft, clayey soil acts as an amplifier of seismic waves, making buildings more susceptible to violent shaking even if the epicenter is hundreds of kilometers away, which explains why the tremor was felt so strongly despite the epicenter being in the state of Guerrero.
The painful memory of the 1985 earthquake and safety measures
The sound of air raid sirens in Mexico evokes painful memories for residents, specifically the devastating 8.1 magnitude earthquake that struck the country on September 19, 1985. That historic quake caused widespread destruction in the capital and killed nearly 13,000 people, according to official figures, prompting Mexican authorities to develop a sophisticated early warning system (SASMEX) and enforce strict building codes.
Activating the sirens seconds or minutes before the arrival of the seismic waves, as happened with President Sheinbaum, is evidence of the effectiveness of modern monitoring systems that give residents valuable time to evacuate and reach safe areas, greatly reducing the likelihood of casualties in a country that constantly lives on a knife's edge.
