Progreso sea recession sparks earthquake speculation in Yucatán

Residents of Progreso, Yucatán, reported a phenomenon on August 8 where the sea receded several meters from the coastline. The event, known as sea recession, went viral on social media, leading to public concern and speculation regarding potential earthquakes or tsunamis.

Some social media users attempted to link the event to a magnitude 7.4 earthquake that occurred in Colombia on August 10, suggesting a connection between tectonic plate movements. However, scientific experts note that while a sudden and significant retreat of the sea can be a warning sign of a tsunami following a strong earthquake, there is no scientific evidence that sea recession alone can be used to predict seismic activity.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has stated that there is currently no method capable of predicting the exact time, location, or magnitude of an earthquake in advance. Authorities advise consulting scientific organizations rather than unverified social media reports to avoid unnecessary alarm.