"Earthquake in Guerrero generates confusion due to discrepancies in seismic alerts."

In the early morning of Saturday, July 27, the state of Guerrero was shaken by a magnitude 5.4 earthquake, with its epicenter off the coast of Acapulco. The tremor, which occurred at 4:30 AM, forced hundreds of tourists to evacuate the hotels where they were staying during the peak summer vacation season. Although the situation could have been alarming, not all alert systems reacted in the same way. While the SkyAlert app issued an alert that woke many people, the Mexican Seismic Alert System (SASMEX), managed by the Center for Instrumentation and Seismic Record A.C. (CIRES), did not activate its alarm. This discrepancy has generated confusion and concern among citizens who rely on these tools to ensure their safety in the event of an earthquake. Following the earthquake, SkyAlert rushed to clarify the situation through a statement explaining that its alert system is different from that of SASMEX. The company emphasized that its alert is based on the intensity of the earthquake rather than solely its magnitude. This approach allows SkyAlert to provide more accurate and timely information about the potential impact of the earthquake in various cities. The magnitude of an earthquake refers to the size of the movement and the energy released, while intensity measures the strength of the ground movement, which can vary depending on the geographical location of each city. SkyAlert pointed out that, in this case, the Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) of the seismic waves was communicated to the major cities that might have felt the tremor, such as Acapulco, Cuernavaca, Toluca, and Mexico City, among others. The lack of response from SASMEX has raised questions about the system's effectiveness and its ability to alert the population during critical moments. Although SASMEX has a different and more formal approach to issuing alerts, the reality is that the absence of a warning in this particular event left many citizens at the mercy of uncertainty and fear. It is important to remember that, while both systems aim to protect the population, their methods and technologies differ. SkyAlert uses real-time data and algorithms to assess the situation and issue alerts more quickly. On the other hand, SASMEX relies on a network of sensors that detect seismic waves, although in this case, it failed to react in time. The controversy also highlights the need for citizens to be informed about the tools available for their safety. Trust in seismic alert systems is crucial, and any failure can lead to a crisis of confidence in their effectiveness. Authorities will need to work to clarify the activation protocols of these alerts and ensure that the population is adequately informed. Throughout the morning, social media was flooded with comments and questions from users who had relied on SASMEX and felt unprotected due to the lack of a warning. Transparent communication from alert systems is fundamental to maintaining calm and safety among the population. The experience from this incident underscores the importance of having multiple sources of information and not relying solely on a single system. In a country located in a seismic zone like Mexico, preparation and education on earthquakes are essential for the protection of life and property. Collaboration and continuous improvement between platforms like SkyAlert and SASMEX will be key to effectively facing future seismic events and providing the safety that the population demands.