Next Saturday, September 19, at 12:00 PM, mobile phones in Mexico will receive a special notification. This is not a real earthquake, but a drill included in the Second National Earthquake Drill . The goal is for citizens to become familiar with the early warning system and know how to react in the event of a real earthquake.
This alert will be delivered via Cell Broadcast technology , which allows mass messaging to be sent to devices connected to the cellular network. According to authorities, more than 80 million phones could receive the message, provided they meet certain requirements. Below, we explain everything you need to know to ensure you receive the alert.
How can I tell if my cell phone has the earthquake alert activated?
To receive the drill notification, the device must be turned on during the exercise and connected to a 2G, 3G, 4G, or 5G mobile network. No credit, mobile data, or Wi-Fi connection is required, but it is essential that the operating system is up to date and unmodified. Additionally, it's advisable to check that security or government alerts are enabled in the phone's settings, as all phones should have this option, although it is sometimes disabled without us noticing.
How do I activate the earthquake alert on my cell phone?
The steps to activate the alert depend on the operating system. On Android , the usual path is: open Settings, go to Notifications, select Advanced settings, access Wireless Emergency Alerts, and activate live alerts. On iPhone , go to Settings, then Notifications, find Government Alerts, and make sure the options are enabled. On some models, the path may vary slightly, but it's always within the notifications section.
The message that will be sent during the test is as follows: “THIS IS A DRILL. This is a message to test the functionality of the Mexican Government’s National Alert System .” Although the text may include phrases such as “maximum alert” or “presidential alert,” the content always indicates that it is an exercise.
The five scenarios of the simulation
For the first time, the drill will cover all 32 states , and five regional earthquake scenarios have been designed to evaluate the response of the population and authorities. The main scenario corresponds to the central region , with a magnitude 7.7 earthquake and an epicenter 15 kilometers south-southwest of Tehuacán, Puebla, at a depth of 67 kilometers. The other scenarios are: magnitude 7.1 in Baja California, 5.2 in Nuevo León, 7.0 in Quintana Roo, and 7.6 in Chiapas. Each involves different states and aims to test local emergency plans.
Why five scenarios?
The selection of varied scenarios has a clear purpose: to adapt the protocols to the real seismic threats of each region . Instead of concentrating the entire exercise on a single scenario, the goal is for both the public and emergency services to practice with situations that reflect the specific risks of their area. For example, the central zone scenario was chosen because the soft soils of Mexico City can amplify seismic waves, resulting in less warning time.
What to do if you don't receive the alert?
If your phone doesn't send an alert during the drill, don't panic. First, check that your device isn't turned off, that it has a signal, and that emergency alerts are enabled in the settings. It's also possible that you're in an area with no coverage or that your phone model isn't compatible with Cell Broadcast. In any case, participate in the drill anyway, following the instructions of those around you: evacuate if necessary, locate the meeting point, and stay calm. If the problem persists, contact your phone provider or consult the official Civil Protection channels.
How Cell Broadcast and SASMEX work
The mobile alert system uses Cell Broadcast technology , which sends messages to all phones connected to antennas in the affected area. It requires no prior registration or app download and works even if the phone is on silent, locked, or during a call. The Mexican Seismic Alert System (SASMEX) , on the other hand, uses a network of sensors to detect earthquakes and transmit a warning before the waves reach distant areas. It's important to remember that the alert doesn't predict earthquakes; it provides a few seconds' warning after the shaking has already begun.
September 19th holds special significance in Mexico, as it commemorates the earthquakes of 1985 and 2017. Therefore, authorities recommend using the drill to review family and workplace emergency plans , identify evacuation routes and safe zones, and ensure that the most vulnerable individuals, such as children and the elderly, know how to react. Participating in these types of exercises is the best way to be prepared for a real emergency.
In short, the Second National Drill is an opportunity to strengthen a culture of prevention. The alert on your cell phone is just one part of a larger system that includes loudspeakers, radio, television, and response protocols. Don't ignore the message: when it sounds, recognize that it's a drill and follow the indicated steps. This way, when a real emergency occurs, the response will be faster and more organized for everyone.
