1985 Mexico City earthquake

SOS Children still cares for orphans from this earthquake. For more information see SOS Children: Mexico

The 1985 Mexico City earthquake was one of the most devastating earthquakes in the history of the Americas.

The event

On Thursday, September 19, 1985, Mexico City was struck by an earthquake of magnitude 8.0 on the Richter scale, which resulted in a death toll estimated between 5,000 (government estimate) and 20,000 people, while leaving another 150,000 homeless. One hundred thousand housing units were destroyed, together with many government buildings. Up to USD $4 billion of damage was caused in three minutes. There was an additional magnitude 7.5 aftershock 36 hours later (the evening of September 20). USGS Earthquake Report

The epicenter of the quake was in Michoacán.

Emergency response

While many are quick to criticise the total unpreparedness displayed by the government to take care of this catastrophe, the real highlight is the spontaneous spirit of unity and help shown by the local population. Impromptu rescue squads excavenged the ruins of collapsed buildings looking for survivors, risking their lives for strangers.

A dramatic emergency response was immediately mobilized. Assistance from neighboring Mexican states and from abroad was received, and was accompanied by international relief.

Aid came in the form of 296 flights originating from 45 different countries, assistance by land from six nations, and relief in the form of cash donations [1].

Several heads of state and other dignitaries travelled to the city, including Brazilian President José Sarney, Venezuelan President Jaime Lusinchi, Spanish Prime Minister Felipe González, Peruvian President Alan García, and Nancy Reagan, the wife of United States President Ronald Reagan, who brought a gift of one million dollars.

Later effects

In an effort to be better prepared for a future devastating earthquake, the Mexican government funded a state-of-the-art alert system that sends early-warning messages to Mexico City electronically from sensors located along coastal fault lines. In the event that seismic activity is detected, warning sirens will sound, giving city residents up to a minute's warning that a quake is coming.