Earthquake Drill in Colima: Response Evaluation After the 7.6 Magnitude Anniversary

On January 21, 2026, Colima conducted a civil protection exercise to assess its response capacity to large-scale seismic events. This drill gained particular significance as it commemorated the anniversary of the devastating earthquake that struck the region over two decades ago, demonstrating that institutional and community preparedness remains a priority in one of Mexico’s most seismically active states.

Colima’s authorities designed the exercise with very specific objectives: to measure response times, validate evacuation protocols, and strengthen coordination among public agencies. The Colima earthquake drill was activated at 12:00 PM exclusively through broadcasting systems, avoiding confusion with real alerts and allowing the population, schools, government offices, and municipalities to focus on established safety procedures.

The Civil Protection Exercise in Colima: Preparing for Seismic Events

Civil Protection officials emphasized that conducting such evaluations prevents safety measures from weakening over time. When the population participates in regular drills, they can clearly identify evacuation routes, safe zones within their spaces, and the behaviors they should adopt during a real tremor.

The drill was simultaneously deployed across different sectors of the state: public agencies carried out orderly evacuations, educational centers practiced safety procedures, and workplaces executed shelter-in-place protocols. The state authorities evaluated not only response speed but also citizen understanding and the effectiveness of institutional communication channels.

This preparation reflects lessons learned from past events. Colima has recurrently experienced significant seismic activity, positioning it as a region where resilience and preparedness are not optional but essential for community survival.

Magnitude 7.6: Remembering the 2003 Earthquake That Shook Colima

On January 21, 2003, at 8:06 PM, the region experienced a magnitude 7.6 earthquake with an epicenter off the coast of Tecomán, approximately 89 kilometers from the state capital. The effects were intensely felt in Colima, Michoacán, and Jalisco, significantly impacting regional infrastructure.

From a geological perspective, the event originated in a subduction zone off the Colima coast. Here, the Rivera and Cocos tectonic plates slide beneath the North American plate, accumulating stresses that periodically release as earthquakes. This tectonic dynamic makes Colima particularly vulnerable to significant seismic movements.

The recorded intensity reached level VIII on the Modified Mercalli Scale in the epicentral area. Adobe and masonry homes suffered severe damage, while churches, schools, and public buildings experienced major structural fractures. Infrastructure such as the Port of Manzanillo and areas of Villa de Álvarez presented deep ground cracks and soil liquefaction phenomena.

The toll of this earthquake in Colima was 21 fatalities. Emergency services established nine aid centers strategically distributed across the state, where approximately 2,000 people received immediate assistance.

How the Drill Was Executed: Protocols, Coordination, and Community Response

The activation of the seismic alert during the drill was intentionally limited to broadcasting, with no alerts sent to cell phones. Prior to the exercise, authorities announced that any activation outside the scheduled time would be considered a real event and should be responded to according to established protocols.

State agencies, municipalities, educational institutions, and workplaces simultaneously executed their evacuation protocols. Shelter-in-place procedures were carried out in an orderly manner, allowing Civil Protection to evaluate key metrics such as response speed, alert system functionality, and citizen participation.

Authorities indicated that this exercise is part of a permanent prevention strategy. Given Colima’s high recurrence of seismic activity, regular drills not only reinforce institutional memory on how to respond but also foster a culture of preparedness where citizens understand that prevention saves lives.

The earthquake in Colima, both in its historical manifestation and in contemporary preparedness efforts, serves as a reminder that seismically active regions require constant vigilance, ongoing assessment, and periodic updates to protocols. Commemorating the 2003 event through exercises like the one on January 21, 2026, demonstrates that Colima has integrated lessons from the past into its current civil protection framework.