An earthquake has taken place on the coast of Chiapas, in Mexico, in which 26 people have died. The earthquake has been the largest recorded in that area with a magnitude 8,2 on the Ritcher scale.
After the earthquake recorded there have been about 65 aftershocks. This indicates the intensity of the earthquake. The Mexican president, Enrique Peña Nieto, has mentioned that it is possible that, within 24 hours, another earthquake could happen again. Do you want to know more about this event?
Damage caused by the earthquake
The president of Mexico affirms that this earthquake has been the largest in the last 100 years, since more than 50 million people have felt it. Besides the intensity it had, it was also quite long.
Given the strong intensity of the tsunami, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) has issued a tsunami warning for Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Honduras, and Ecuador for a possible tsunami with waves of 3 meters in the area. To better understand how these phenomena occur, you can consult how a tsunami occurs.
The earthquake has taken place 23:49 p.m. on Thursday, September 7 at about 19 kilometers deep and the epicenter of the earthquake was located 133 kilometers southwest of Pijijiapan, on the Pacific coast of the state of Chiapas (southeast).
Among the damage caused by the earthquake, we find at least 20 deaths in Oaxaca, 17 of whom died in Juchitán. In addition, there are four more deaths in Chiapas and two more in Tabasco, which are believed to be minor. As for the material damage reported, so far, it is not significant considering the magnitude of the earthquake. The Ane Centro hotel has completely collapsed in the town of Matías Romero, as have several houses.
On the other hand, there have also been power outages in the capital where, after hearing the seismic alert, All ambulances and rescue teams began to be mobilized. To avoid further damage or problems, classes have been cut to assess all damage.
Prevention and possible risks
To prevent further damage and deaths, Peña Nieto is asking the public to check all gas installations in their homes for possible leaks and explosions. Temporary shelters have been set up to care for and accommodate all those most affected (especially those living in coastal areas). Regarding natural disaster preparedness, you may be interested in: The lights seen in Mexico during the earthquake.
Zones have also been created to evacuate the population from the arrival of hurricane Katia along the eastern coast of the country.
Because the earthquake has had a very high intensity, it is accompanied by intense aftershocks. The strongest of them has been magnitude 6,1 on the Ritcher scale.
The earthquake has affected Guatemala with an intensity of 7,3 causing 17 victims, 24 houses destroyed and 2 injured. For more information, you can visit the relationship between earthquakes in Mexico and Japan.
Tremor of the Angel of Independence
The earthquake has caused the vibration of the Angel of Independence, an emblematic national monument of Mexico, and their fear that it will fall again. In a similar earthquake in 1957 it already fell.
The earthquake in which the Angel fell left 70 dead and numerous buildings destroyed. There are people who were more traumatized by the fall of this emblematic monument than by the deaths and the destruction of the buildings, so you can see the importance it has for them.
This earthquake is comparable to the one that occurred in 1957, when similar damage was caused. The seismic history of the region indicates that events like these are not isolated and that, taken together, they are part of a pattern of activity that can be studied in detail. the relationship between earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
Here you can see the video with the movement of the Angel of Independence shaken by the earthquake:
