Tsunamis generated by submarine earthquakes represent a significant threat to Mexico's Pacific coast. The states of Nayarit, Jalisco, Michoacán, Guerrero, Oaxaca, and Chiapas are at risk of being struck by locally generated waves or those propagated from the distant Pacific.
Local tsunamis, caused by earthquakes near the coast, can reach land in just 15-30 minutes. There is no time for coordinated evacuation through alert systems; the best defense is prior knowledge: if you feel a strong earthquake near the coast, immediately head to high ground.
On April 1, 2007, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake generated a tsunami that inundated Playa Azul, Michoacán, alerting the entire region to this threat. Geological studies have identified older tsunami deposits, confirming that these events occur regularly on geological timescales.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center provides information about distant-source tsunamis. Coastal residents and tourists should familiarize themselves with evacuation routes and elevated refuge points.