Tsunami - September 1985, Mexico

On 19 September 1985 an earthquake measuring 8.1 on the Richter scale struck off the Pacific coast generating a small tsunami that damaged many coastal communities in the states of Michoacan and Guerrero. Waves measuring approximately 2.5 m in height arrived at the port of Lazaro Cardenas and flooded 500 m inland. At the tourist resort of Playa Azul the waves caused damage to hotels.

Two days after on the 21st, an aftershock measuring 7.5 generated another tsunami 2 to 3 m in height that travelled up to 200 m inland causing considerable flood damage to hotels and restaurants.

¹ Farreras, S.F & Sanchez, A.J. 1990. The Tsunami Threat on the Mexican Wet Coast: A Historical Analysis and Recommendations for Hazard Mitigation. Natural Hazards. Vol. 4, pp 301-316