2017 Central Mexico Earthquake
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Overview
2017 Central Mexico Earthquake was a 7.1-magnitude seismic event that struck central states of Puebla and Morelos, including Greater Mexico City, on the afternoon of September 19th, 2017, lasting for about 20 seconds.
Background
At 1:14 p.m. (local time) on September 19th, 2017, a 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck central Mexico, approximately 55 kilometers (34 miles) south of the city of Puebla, which lasted for about 20 seconds before stabilizing. The seismic activity caused widespread damage and casualties in the states of Puebla, Morelos and the Greater Mexico City area, killing at least 308, most of them in Mexico City, and injuring more than 2,600. The disaster struck came on the heels of an even more catastrophic earthquake of magnitude 8.1 in the Gulf of Tehuantepec, off the southern coast of Mexico, that was observed on September 7th.
Developments
The earthquake, which coincided with the 32nd anniversary of the 1985 Mexico City earthquake that killed about 10,000 people, came off the heels of an even more catastrophic earthquake of magnitude 8.1 off the southern coast of Mexico twelve days prior on September 7th.
Online Reaction
Within the hour of the earthquake, thousands of residents and journalists across Mexico City began sharing images and videos of the devastation and chaos it left behind on Twitter, Facebook and other social media outlets.
#FuerzaMexico
In the wake of the tragedy, many Mexicans in the affected regions and overseas, as well as those from the neighboring region, began using the hashtag #FuerzaMexico (Spanish: Strength to Mexico) to share inspirational photos and videos of rescue efforts from the epicenter, as well as their thoughts and prayers." In addition, a number of other inspirational hashtags, including #PrayForMexico, #MexicoUnido and #LoveArmyMexico, were employed to express solidarity with rescue workers.
News Media Coverage
In the ensuing hours after the earthquake, virtually all major news outlets in North and Central America began providing live coverage of the breaking news and the search-and-rescue operations that went underway in Mexico City, with many reports revolving around first-person accounts and video recordings that had gone viral on the social media.
"Frida Sofia" Story
On the night of September 20th, a news reporter for the Mexican TV channel Televisa reported that a massive search-and-rescue operation has begun for students and faculty members who may be trapped under the debris of the Enrique Rebsámen School building. The news report, which detailed a heartbreaking eyewitness account of a 12-year-old girl named "Frida Sofia" wiggling her fingers through the crack of the rubbles from below the ground, immediately captured the attention of the entire nation and became a symbol of hope and resilience for Mexicans in the wake of the disaster.
As the name began to trend on social media and the rescue effort continued at the school site, the Mexican navy officials released a statement that there is no "Frida Sofia" enrolled at Enrique Rebsámen School, effectively debunking the news report as a hoax. According to the official, a camera dispatched into the rubble of the site caught blood tracks that were likely left by an injured in movement, but no signs of any evidence that would corroborate that the girl existed.
Crowdsourced Efforts
In addition to widespread usage of select hashtags designated for coordination of voluntary efforts, a group of activists, journalists and programmers in Mexico City launched Verificado19s[19], a digital database where people can easily organize relief efforts by sharing and verifying information about supplies and service personnels that can be provided to those in need.
Search Interest
External References
[1] The Daily Beast – The Great Mexico Quake: A Tale of Heroes and Trolls
[2] EuroNews – Social Media Footage of Mexico Earthquake Emerges
[3] CBS – Dramatic Videos Around Social Media Document Devastating Mexico Earthquake
[4] Mashable – You can help Mexico after the latest deadly earthquake
[5] CNN – Mexico's strongest earthquake in a century leaves dozens dead
[6] Business Insider – A 7.1 magnitude earthquake has hit Mexico, and people are posting terrifying photos and videos on social media
[7] Newsweek – MEXICO EARTHQUAKE: WHO IS FRIDA SOFIA? MEXICAN AUTHORITIES JUST DON'T KNOW
[8] BBC News – 'Strength to Mexico' in deadly earthquake aftermath
[9] The Washington Post – Mexico may now have too much earthquake aid
[10] Twitter – Hashtag Results for #FuerzaMexico
[11] Twitter – Hashtag Results for #PrayForMexico
[12] Twitter – Hashtag Results for #PrayForMexico
[13] Twitter – Hashtag Results for #MexicoUnido
[14] Twitter – Hashtag Results for #MéxicoEstáDePie
[15] YouTube – Search Results for '2017 Mexico Terremoto'
[16] SF Gate – Social media explodes with videos showing chaos in Mexico City after magnitude 7.1 earthquake
[17] Los Angeles Times – 'Fuerza Mexico': Earthquake has been the engine of a newfound national solidarity
[18] New York Times – After Mexico Earthquake, Tremors of Anxiety
[19] Verificado19s – Report Now
Top Comments
Mr. Candles
Sep 22, 2017 at 06:33PM EDT
nocunoct
Sep 22, 2017 at 07:00PM EDT