Seminar: “Earthquake Prevention, Early Warning, and Response: A Mexican Civil Protection Perspective”

Information

Date Thursday, October 8, 2026

Hour 09:00 to 13:30 (Mexico time)

Modality Virtual Zoom link:

Background and Justification

Latin America and the Caribbean is one of the regions with the highest levels of tectonic and seismic activity in the world, exposing its populations and infrastructure to various risk scenarios. Faced with this shared reality, Mexico has developed institutional, scientific, and technical capabilities in the fields of civil protection and seismic risk management.

The National Center for Disaster Prevention (CENAPRED) and its various specialized units possess expertise in studying seismic hazards, assessing structural vulnerability, analyzing cascading phenomena, and implementing the Mexican Seismic Alert System.

Sharing these experiences—as well as the rehabilitation and structural reinforcement projects undertaken following the earthquakes of September 2017—offers an opportunity to strengthen the institutional capacities of countries in the region regarding earthquake prevention, early warning, and response.

Objectives

General Objective

To exchange best practices and Mexico’s seismic expertise with civil protection authorities from SELA member countries, thereby fostering international cooperation and the exchange of technical knowledge.

Specific Objectives

To analyze the nature of earthquakes in Mexico, seismic hazard studies, and the management of cascading phenomena such as soil liquefaction and slope failure.

To examine structural vulnerability criteria, the types and levels of earthquake-induced damage, and the reinforcement methods employed in Mexico.

To disseminate information on the operation of the Mexican Seismic Alert System and share experiences regarding infrastructure rehabilitation and reinforcement following the earthquakes of September 2017.

Thematic Areas

The seminar will be divided into three sequential technical blocks:

Block 1

Earthquakes and cascading phenomena
 Characterization of seismic activity in Mexico; seismic hazard studies; and analysis of ground-related cascading phenomena, particularly soil liquefaction and slope failure.

Block 2

Structural system behavior during earthquakes and post-disaster measures Analysis of structural vulnerability; identification of damage types and levels; and presentation of reinforcement methods commonly used in Mexico.

Block 3

Prevention measures for risk mitigation and emergency response Presentation on the operation of the Mexican Seismic Alert System, as well as rehabilitation and reinforcement experiences gained following the earthquakes of September 2017.

Target Audience

Aimed at public officials and civil protection authorities involved in Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management from SELA member countries.

Expected Results

Strengthening of technical cooperation and the exchange of experiences among authorities and entities involved in seismic risk management within SELA member states.

Exchange of knowledge and experiences regarding hazard analysis and structural vulnerability, as well as reinforcement techniques developed in Mexico.

Enhanced understanding of the operation and utility of the Mexican Seismic Alert System as a tool for responding to seismic emergencies.

Identification of lessons and experiences derived from the rehabilitation and reinforcement processes implemented following the earthquakes of September 2017.

General Information

Date: Thursday, October 8, 2026
Time: 09:00 to 13:30 (Mexico time)
Format: Virtual; Zoom link:

Program

Jueves 8 de octubre
Morning
11.00 – 11.05 h	Welcome Authority to be confirmed
11.05 – 12.25 h	Block 1: Earthquakes and cascading phenomena Speakers: Earthquakes in Mexico. Jonatán Arreola Manzano, M.Sc. – Seismic Risk Sub-directorate. Seismic hazard studies. Juan Carlos Jiménez Velázquez, M.Sc. – Seismic Risk Sub-directorate. Cascading phenomena (soil liquefaction and slope failure). Cruz Aarón Cruz Juárez, Eng. – Soil Dynamics and Gravitational Processes Sub-directorate. Objective: To identify seismic hazards and associated geological cascading phenomena based on experience and technical studies in Mexico, in order to strengthen risk prevention and management strategies. Discussion: Q&A
12.25 – 12.35 h	Break
12.35 – 13.55 h	Block 2: Behavior of structural systems during seismic events and post-disaster measures Structural vulnerability. Types and levels of damage. Common reinforcement methods in Mexico. Speakers: José Antonio Díaz Pérez (M.Eng.) and Leonardo E. Flores Corona (M.Eng.) from the Structural Vulnerability Sub-directorate; and Vanessa González and Osvaldo Contreras from the Structural Risks Sub-directorate. Objective: To evaluate building safety conditions during seismic events by examining structural vulnerability, classifying post-disaster damage types and levels, and analyzing the reinforcement methods most commonly used in Mexico to enhance the resilience of the built environment. Discussion: Q&A session.
13.55 – 14.05 h	Break
14.05 – 15.25 h	Block 3: Prevention measures for risk mitigation and emergency response Speakers: Mexican Seismic Alert System. Eng. Paulino Alonso Rivera / Eng. Alma Samara Victoria Flores Success Story 1 Rehabilitation and reinforcement process for the Tlalpan Multifamily Housing Complex following the September 2017 earthquakes. Oscar López B., Structural Risks Sub-directorate. Success Story 2 Reinforcement and rehabilitation solutions using response control devices, implemented following the September 2017 earthquake. Oscar López and Juan José Gómez, Structural Risks Sub-directorate. Objective: To disseminate the technological and operational strategies applied in Mexico for seismic risk mitigation—through an analysis of the Early Warning System’s operation and a review of successful urban rehabilitation cases—with the aim of strengthening institutional capacities for emergency response and management. Discussion: Q&A
15.25 – 15.30 h	Closing Ceremony Official to be confirmed