Magnitude 7.7 Earthquake Damages Buildings in Central Panama

A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck southern Panama on Friday, Oct. 9, damaging buildings in several central provinces and shaking structures more than 100 miles away in the capital.

The quake briefly triggered tsunami alerts for several countries along the Pacific coast of Central and South America, though warning officials later said the threat had passed.

The U.S. Geological Survey initially reported a magnitude 8.0, then revised it to 7.6 before settling on 7.7. Panama’s own geological institute measured the quake at magnitude 7.2.

Where the Earthquake Struck

The earthquake struck shortly before 1 p.m. local time, according to the Panamanian president’s office.

The USGS placed the epicenter about 12 kilometers (roughly 7 miles) west-southwest of Pitaloza Arriba, a rural community on Panama’s Azuero Peninsula in or near Herrera Province. The quake struck at a depth of about 12.6 kilometers, or roughly 8 miles.

Shallow earthquakes tend to produce stronger shaking at the surface than deeper ones of the same magnitude, because the energy has less distance to travel before reaching the ground.

Damage Concentrated in Central Provinces

Omar Smith, who leads Panama’s National Civil Protection Service, said the damage was concentrated in the central provinces of Veraguas, Herrera and Los Santos. In neighboring Coclé province, officials said the governor’s palace suffered significant structural damage, though staff members were safely evacuated.

Homes were also damaged in the Las Minas area of Herrera province. One resident told Reuters his house had cracked and his family was afraid it could collapse on them, adding that the quake damaged a number of homes in the area.

As of Friday afternoon, there were no confirmed reports of deaths or injuries. However, the USGS warned that some casualties are possible and that extensive damage is probable, based on the quake’s strength and location.

Shaking Felt in Panama City and Costa Rica

The tremors were strong enough to be felt in Panama City, well over 100 miles from the epicenter. Buildings swayed, and residents and workers evacuated into the streets as the shaking rolled through.

Photos from the capital showed people gathering in open areas, including hospital staff waiting outside the maternity ward of Santo Tomas Hospital. In response, the president’s office suspended operations at all administrative offices and schools.

The shaking also reached neighboring Costa Rica, where the long, rolling motion sent people out of homes and offices. The Costa Rican Red Cross said small objects fell in communities near the Panamanian border but did not report major damage.

The quake matched the magnitude of the 1991 Limón earthquake, the strongest on record in Costa Rica, which killed 48 people in Costa Rica and 79 in Panama.

Panama Canal Operations Continue

The Panama Canal, one of the world’s most important trade routes, sits roughly 120 miles northeast of the epicenter. The Panama Canal Authority said operations were continuing as normal while staff inspected facilities for potential damage.

Tsunami Alerts Issued, Then Lifted

Shortly after the quake, the U.S. Tsunami Warning System said hazardous tsunami waves were possible along parts of the coasts of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Peru, Mexico, Guatemala, Panama, Nicaragua, Colombia and Ecuador.

The alerts were short-lived. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, which had initially warned about the possibility of tsunami waves reaching Panama’s coast, later said the threat had passed.

Aftershocks Continue

More than a dozen aftershocks were recorded in the hours after the main earthquake, according to the Panamanian president’s office. Panama’s geological institute reported a magnitude 6.0 aftershock shortly after the initial quake, and other aftershocks measured magnitude 5.8 and 5.5.

Aftershocks can continue for days or even weeks after a major earthquake, and the larger ones can cause additional damage to buildings already weakened by the main quake. Residents in affected areas are generally advised to stay out of damaged structures and be ready to drop, cover and hold on if more shaking occurs.

A Seismically Active Region

Panama sits in one of the most seismically active parts of the world, near the meeting point of several tectonic plates. Friday’s quake was at least the fourth earthquake in Latin America this year to surpass magnitude 7.0, following a devastating earthquake in Venezuela’s La Guaira state in June and a powerful earthquake in western Colombia in August.

Officials are continuing to assess damage in the central provinces, and more information on the full impact is expected as Civil Protection teams reach the hardest-hit communities.

Weather changes fast, so help your community stay prepared. Share this story with friends, family, or your group chat, and keep your forecast in the now with Weather Forecast Now.