The article I chose, “Mexico City, Before and After the Earthquake” was published by the New York Times on 23 September, 2017. It discusses the natural disaster that killed at least 155 people in Mexico City last Tuesday. While this earthquake, which had a magnitude of 7.1, may not be shaking the ground anymore, the damage is not yet complete.[1] Many buildings around the city are still standing but are liable to collapse at any time. This situation also poses a threat to surveyors, construction workers, and residents[2].
In addition to presenting descriptions of the damage caused by the earthquake, the article also includes numerous pictures. The author also described the story behind many of the pictures and stated the locations where they were taken. This is very helpful because the pictures display different kinds of damage buildings sustained.
I also appreciated the use of photographs because they give the audience an idea of what life is like currently in Mexico City. Additionally, I found it interesting that no residents of the city were quoted in the article. I believe this was a good choice because the article did not portray the people of Mexico as victims. Instead, it focused on the technical aspects of the earthquake, while still providing information to show how the earthquake is impacting the lives of people in the area. I was also happy to see that there is a Spanish version of the same article.[3]
In class, we spent a significant amount of time discussing the geography of Latin America. This article relates to class themes because Mexico City exists in a location that experiences frequent earthquakes. Because earthquakes are relatively common in the area, they play a significant role in Mexican history and culture. For a personal perspective, follow this link to an article that describes life in Mexico City during various earthquakes over the years, including the one on Tuesday.[4]
[1]. Larry Buchanan et al., “Mexico City, Before and After the Earthquake,” The New York Times, September 23, 2017, sec. World, https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/09/23/world/americas/mexico-city-earthquake-surveying-destruction-damage.html.
[2]. Ibid.
[3]. Ibid.
[4]. Francisco Goldman, “A History of My Mexico City Home, in Earthquakes,” The New Yorker, September 23, 2017, https://www.newyorker.com/culture/personal-history/a-history-of-my-mexico-city-home-in-earthquakes.
Bibliography
Buchanan, Larry, Jasmine C. Lee, Sergio Peçanha, and K. K. Rebecca Lai. “Mexico City, Before and After the Earthquake.” The New York Times, September 23, 2017, sec. World. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/09/23/world/americas/mexico-city-earthquake-surveying-destruction-damage.html.
Goldman, Francisco. “A History of My Mexico City Home, in Earthquakes.” The New Yorker, September 23, 2017. https://www.newyorker.com/culture/personal-history/a-history-of-my-mexico-city-home-in-earthquakes.