Panama Canal keeps operating as earthquake estimates are revised

The Panama Canal Authority said the waterway continued operating normally after the October 9 earthquake. The University of Panama estimated its magnitude at 7.2, while the USGS later reported 7.7.

Institute of Geosciences data cited by RIA Novosti recorded the earthquake at 12:56:05 local time. The institute placed it four kilometers deep and 39 kilometers northwest of Tonosi, at latitude 7.55936 north and longitude 80.75940 west.

Reuters cited the USGS estimate of magnitude 7.7 at a depth of ten kilometers. These are different agencies' assessments of the same earthquake rather than a single final value shared by all sources. An initial magnitude-eight estimate was subsequently revised.

Reuters also confirmed the canal authority's statement that operations continued. RIA Novosti described social media footage showing building evacuations and minor collapses inside a school. Individual videos do not establish the overall scale of damage across the country.