September 19 is a date that has remained etched in the collective memory of Mexicans due to the occurrence of several devastating earthquakes in different years. This coincidence has generated a mixture of fear and respect towards this day, which has witnessed some of the most destructive earthquakes in the recent history of the Aztec country.
And September is the second month with the most earthquakes in Mexico, According to data from the National Seismological Service (SSN) and studies from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), being surpassed only by December.
How many earthquakes have occurred in Mexico on September 19?
1. Earthquake of September 19, 1985
The first and most devastating earthquake recorded on this date occurred in 1985. At 7:17 am, an 8.1 magnitude earthquake shook Mexico City and other regions of the country.
The epicenter was located on the coast of the state of Michoacán, but the effects were felt more intensely in the capital, where the infrastructure was not prepared to withstand an event of such magnitude. The earthquake killed approximately 10,000 people, injured thousands more and caused incalculable material damage.
2. Earthquake of September 19, 2017
Thirty-two years later, on September 19, 2017, another earthquake struck Mexico, this time with a magnitude of 7.1. The epicenter was located in the state of Puebla, but again, Mexico City was one of the most affected areas.
The quake occurred just two hours after a national drill commemorating the anniversary of the 1985 earthquake, adding a layer of surrealism and fear to the situation. The 2017 earthquake left 369 dead and thousands injuredin addition to causing significant damage to the infrastructure of the capital and other states such as Morelos and Puebla.
3. Earthquake of September 19, 2022
On September 19, 2022, Mexico was once again shaken by an earthquake, this time of magnitude 7.6. The epicenter was located near the coast of Michoacán, and the quake was felt in several states, including Mexico City. Although this earthquake was not as devastating as the previous ones, it caused the death of two people and left several more injured.
The coincidence of the date and magnitude of the earthquake generated great concern among the population, which was already sensitized by the events of 1985 and 2017.
Why are there so many earthquakes in Mexico?
Mexico is a highly seismic country due to its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area of high tectonic activity. The interaction of the North American, Cocos and Pacific tectonic plates generates a large number of earthquakes each year. However, The coincidence of significant earthquakes on the same date has led many to wonder whether there is any scientific explanation behind this phenomenon.
Source: https://www.noticiascaracol.com/mundo/19-de-septiembre-cuantos-terremotos-han-ocurrido-en-mexico-ese-dia-so35
