USGS records fresh magnitude 6.0 earthquake in Panama

USGS recorded a fresh magnitude 6.0 earthquake near La Tronosa on October 10 after a powerful quake off Panama’s southern coast. The aftershocks followed evacuations and building damage on October 9, while authorities assessed the main earthquake’s consequences.

USGS placed the new tremor’s epicentre 7 km north of La Tronosa. Initial magnitude estimates for the main earthquake differed and were revised: Times of India cited an initial 8.0 estimate, a revision to 7.6 and other reports of 7.7. The main event was reported at a depth of around 10 km, roughly 200 km southwest of Panama City.

Civil protection authorities reported damage in Veraguas, Herrera and Los Santos. A cathedral bell tower collapsed in Penonomé and other buildings were damaged. Omar Smith reported several injuries, including a person hit by debris. Roads in Veraguas developed cracks.

President José Raúl Mulino said on the evening of October 9 that no deaths had been documented, cautioning that assessments could change that information. He travelled to Penonomé to assess the situation. Offices, shops and other buildings were evacuated. Schools closed and two Panama City metro lines were suspended for safety checks.

The earthquake was also felt in Costa Rica. Initial tsunami alerts covered several Central and South American countries. Warnings for the coasts of Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Nicaragua and Guatemala, as well as El Salvador and Easter Island, were subsequently lifted. Seawater was reported to have reached homes on Isla Cañas.

The US embassy warned that damaging aftershocks and unusual coastal currents were possible, urging people to avoid damaged structures and follow official instructions. A forecast of waves between 1 and 3 metres near Isla Cañas and southern Los Santos by Nestor Luque of the University of Panama should not be treated as a measurement of waves actually observed.

Tocumen International Airport resumed operations on the afternoon of October 9 after a temporary suspension. The Panama Canal Authority said the canal continued operating while teams inspected facilities. Naturgy reported power outages in six provinces. Reuters reported more than 40 aftershocks, while AP described tremors measuring 5.8, 5.5 and 5.2.

An initial USGS model estimated that around 43,000 people were in areas exposed to severe or greater shaking and put potential economic losses in a range of 1–10% of GDP. Those are modelled risk estimates, not a confirmed damage total. Panama had scheduled a nationwide evacuation drill for the following Monday.