Massive 7.7 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Panama, Officials Investigate Tsunami Threat
The powerful quake was felt in the capital city and neighboring Costa Rica, with tsunami advisories issued for some coastal areas.
A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck off Panama's southern coast on Friday, causing shaking in the nation's capital and prompting officials to investigate a potential tsunami threat. The U.S. Geological Survey initially reported the earthquake as a magnitude 8.0 before revising the estimate to 7.7. The quake occurred at 1:56 p.m. ET, with its epicenter approximately 6 miles beneath the surface near Pitaloza Arriba, Panama. A subsequent aftershock measured at 5.5 magnitude also occurred, with its epicenter about 50 miles east of the initial tremor.
The earthquake was felt as far away as San José, the capital of neighboring Costa Rica, according to Reuters. Tsunami officials issued warnings for potential waves of 3 to 10 feet above tide levels along some Panamanian coastal areas, and waves of approximately 1 to 3 feet for parts of Ecuador. Smaller waves, less than 1 foot above tide levels, were forecast for coastal regions in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Peru.
Despite the localized tsunami warnings, a Pacific-wide tsunami was not expected, officials confirmed. Earthquakes in the magnitude range of 7.0 to 7.9 are capable of causing significant damage. Information regarding potential damage or casualties resulting from Friday's earthquake was not immediately available.