Tag Archives: Panama earthquake

Panama Earthquake 12/08

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Very strong dangerous earthquake near the coast of Panama (David)

Last update: December 8, 2014 at 7:18 pm by By

Update 18:57 UTC : Many aftershocks since today’s mainshock. The latest one being a M5.2 (see also seismogram below)

Screen Shot 2014-12-08 at 19.56.00

Update 17:28 UTC : At the time of writing this update we are happy to report that we could not find any damage

Update 09:55 UTC : USGS has decreased the Magnitude from M6.7 to M6.6, depth 18 km Epicenter (luckily) offshore.

Update 09:46 UTC : We like to bring good news too – No electricity outages are being reported, a good sign!

Update 09:35 UTC : The BURICA (peninsula) area might be the hardest hit during this earthquake as a very strong MMI VII shaking is expected there.  Below the expected shaking following the USGS agency.

Screen Shot 2014-12-08 at 10.41.41 Screen Shot 2014-12-08 at 10.41.49

Update 09:35 UTC : Costa Rica authorities are mentioning a maximum shaking of MMI IV = light shaking = probably no damage. Costa Rica seismological agency is reporting a far weaker Magnitude of 6.1 vs M6.7 by USGS

Update 09:34 UTC : The David Fire Department is currently assessing the situation and is looking for eventual damage. We will report if anything is being found.

Update 09:16 UTC : Below the USGS shaking map. Max. expected shaking in the coastal towns MMI VI = strong shaking

Screen Shot 2014-12-08 at 10.21.42

Update 09:16 UTC : GEOFON automatic Focal Mechanism is showing a compression (thrust) type earthquake which means the the main movement will be vertical. The most dangerous earthquakes are lateral movement earthquakes which are called Transform Type earthquakes. The subduction type will weaken the damage outlook considerably.

Screen Shot 2014-12-08 at 10.19.09

Update 09:13 UTC : ER is almost certain that this earthquake will be damaging. The extend of the damage will depend on the earthquake type. It will take another 10 minutes before we are sure about that. We expect the David Panama district to be the hardest hit. Also the coastal area of Costa Rica may get his part of the slight damage.

Update 09:09 UTC : Although local tsunami waves are possible, the PWTC indicates that a Pacific Ocean and US West Coast tsunami is not likely. No alert has been issued for these areas. PWTC text : BASED ON EARTHQUAKE INFORMATION AND HISTORIC TSUNAMI RECORDS    THE EARTHQUAKE WAS NOT SUFFICIENT TO GENERATE A TSUNAMI.

Update 09:07 UTC : Today’s earthquake is a lot stronger than the M6.0 earthquake from yesterday.

Screen Shot 2014-12-08 at 10.11.31

8km (5mi) ESE of Punta de Burica, Panama
32km (20mi) SSE of Puerto Armuelles, Panama
57km (35mi) SW of Pedregal, Panama
60km (37mi) SSW of La Concepcion, Panama
256km (159mi) SSE of San Jose, Costa Rica

Most important Earthquake Data:

Magnitude : 6.5

Local Time (conversion only below land) : 2014-12-08 03:54:54

GMT/UTC Time : 2014-12-08 08:54:54

Depth (Hypocenter) : 19 km

from:    http://earthquake-report.com/2014/12/08/very-strong-earthquake-panama-costa-rica-border-region-on-december-8-2014/

Earthquake Off Panama

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Very strong earthquake South Of Panama

Last update: May 13, 2014 at 2:43 pm by By

Panama TV is reporting that many walls collapsed in the Western Part of the country. Additionally, a water pipe broke in San Cristobal which set a number of houses inundated. In Chiriqui the facade from the National Bank of Panama was damaged.

The area felt many aftershocks so far.

Update 07:04 UTC : The map below shows the location of the epicenter in function of the (complicated) tectonics of that area – The Yellow line is the Convergent fault or the subduction zone where the Oceanic Cocos Plate dives below the Caribbean Plate. The Blue line the transform zone with a mainly horizontal movement.

Screen Shot 2014-05-13 at 09.04.20

Screen Shot 2014-05-13 at 11.08.44

Update 07:01 UTC : The seismogram of this earthquake

Screen Shot 2014-05-13 at 09.03.15Screen Shot 2014-05-13 at 10.34.46

Update 06:54 UTC : Below the theoretical shakemap based on the USGS data (other agencies are showing a M6.4 Magnitude)

Screen Shot 2014-05-13 at 08.55.18 Screen Shot 2014-05-13 at 08.55.26

Screen Shot 2014-05-13 at 08.53.11

Update 06:47 UTC : It is currently the middle of the night in Central America. Based on the shaking numbers we are receiving from our readers (in back office) people are confirming what we expected from the beginning : Mex. a light shaking.

Update 06:44 UTC : ER does not expect serious damage from this earthquake – Main reason : Distance to the coast

Screen Shot 2014-05-13 at 08.45.28

Update 06:43 UTC  : NO tsunami risk following the report of the PTWC (locally strong currents and minor waves are always possible)

Screen Shot 2014-05-13 at 08.42.09

126km (78mi) SSE of Punta de Burica, Panama
152km (94mi) SSE of Puerto Armuelles, Panama
153km (95mi) S of Pedregal, Panama
160km (99mi) S of David, Panama
373km (232mi) SSE of San Jose, Costa Ric

Most important Earthquake Data:

Magnitude : 6.5

Local Time (conversion only below land) : Unknown

GMT/UTC Time : 2014-05-13 06:35:24

from:    http://earthquake-report.com/2014/05/13/very-strong-earthquake-south-of-panama-on-may-13-2014/

Earthquake – Panama/Costa Rica Border

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Strong moderately dangerous earthquake near the Panama / Costa Rica border area

Last update: May 27, 2013 at 4:43 pm by By

Update 16:38 UTC : After searching our many sources we are happy to report that NO damage or injuries have been reported by local press or authorities. If you have signs of the contrary, please let us know by filling in a comment or IHFI report. Thank you.
The most logical reason for a possible harmless outcome will be the depth as reported by Ovsicori Costa Rica (35 km).

Update 11:07 UTC : Ovsicori Costa Rica is reporting a Magnitude of M6 BUT at a depth of 35 km. this depth makes the earthquake still moderately dangerous but less dangerous than the initial USGS data.

Update 10:54 UTC : Most shaking exposed villages / cities in the epicenter area :
MMI VI (strong shaking) : Guabito 6,000 inhabitants, Changuinola 23,000 and Sixaola 2,000
MMI V (Moderate shaking)  : Barranco 1,000 and Almirante 8,000

Screen Shot 2013-05-27 at 12.54.41

Update 10:15 UTC : Falling objects and telephone problems in Costa Rica (nothing abnormal !!). Power outtage in Perez Zeledon

Update 10:09 UTC : The main reason why this earthquake is more dangerous than normal Costa Rica Pacific earthquakes is that the fault type is different (transform vs subduction). Transform faults are more dangerous. The area around town Guabito might be the most dangerous. Many villages, soft soil and probably not the most resistant buildings.
In the direct vicinity of the epicenter are mainly rocky hills and not many villages, but the village of Prucsco is located in a softer soil valley.

A strong earthquake occurred in the middle of the Costa Rica / Panama night at a shallow depth of 12 km (preliminary value). It was well felt in both countries.
This earthquake maybe dangerous as it was strong and shallow.
The earthquake happened on the Atlantic Coast, a rather unusual location for such strong earthquakes.
Earthquake-Report.com calls this earthquake Moderately Dangerous for injuries and damage.
The MMI VII shaking which is expected by the USGS calculations is confirming our expectations.

Screen Shot 2013-05-27 at 11.59.48

12km (7mi) SSW of Guabito, Panama
15km (9mi) WSW of Changuinola, Panama
68km (42mi) N of Volcan, Panama
79km (49mi) SSE of Puerto Limon, Costa Rica
168km (104mi) ESE of San Jose, Costa Rica

Most important Earthquake Data:

Magnitude : 5.7

Local Time (conversion only below land) : 2013-05-27 04:41:15

GMT/UTC Time : 2013-05-27 09:41:15

from:    http://earthquake-report.com/2013/05/27/strong-earthquake-panama-costa-rica-border-region-on-may-27-2013/