Deadly Intraslab Mexico Earthquake of 19 September 2017 (Mw 7.1): Ground Motion and Damage Pattern in Mexico City

A 2017 intraslab earthquake (Mw 7.1) near Mexico City exhibited anomalously strong ground motion at critical frequencies (0.4–1 Hz), unlike previous interplate earthquakes, leading to distinct damage patterns. Unlike the 1985 quake (Mw 8.0), this event occurred closer to the city and at greater depth, with higher stress drop, resulting in high-frequency wave enrichment that intensified shaking in vulnerable structures. The study analyzed seismic recordings over 54 years to quantify ground motion differences, highlighting the unique hazards posed by intraslab earthquakes.

Singh, S. K., Reinoso, E., Arroyo, D., Ordaz, M., Cruz‐Atienza, V., Pérez‐Campos, X., Iglesias, A., & Hjörleifsdóttir, V. (2018). Deadly Intraslab Mexico Earthquake of 19 September 2017 (Mw 7.1): Ground Motion and Damage Pattern in Mexico City. Seismological Research Letters, 89(6), 2193–2203. https://doi.org/10.1785/0220180159