Earthquakes in Panama

In Panama there are partly large earthquakes with strengths of more than 7.0, which cause damages within a radius of over 100 kilometers. Due to the special tectonic situation of the country, there are more earthquakes than average.

7 people died since 1950 by direct consequences of earthquakes. 2 earthquakes also caused a subsequent tsunami, which claimed further lifes and damages.

Other natural hazards in Panama:
› Tsunamis
› The most severe natural disasters worldwide

Back to overview: Panama

Most recent events

This list includes the strongest earthquakes recorded in or around Panama by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in the past 14 days. Whether an event is listed here depends largely on its magnitude, but also on its distance from inhabited areas. All data refer to the local time. This page is updated daily at 11am UTC.

May 7, 7:25 pm
Magnitude 5.0: 13 km north-northwest of Golfito, Costa Rica at a depth of 18.29 km.
May 7, 4:10 am
Magnitude 4.2: 64 km south of Burica at a depth of 10 km.
May 5, 11:47 pm
Magnitude 4.1: 16 km west of Jacó, Costa Rica at a depth of 22.77 km.
May 11, 2:22 am
Magnitude 3.8: 18 km west-northwest of San Isidro, Costa Rica at a depth of 10 km.

Earthquakes in Panama since 1950

The strongest earthquake in Panama happened on 07/26/1962 in the region Panama with a magnitude of 7.4 on the Richter scale.

Date	Region	Depth	Magnitude	Deaths
07/29/2015	Colombia (Unguia)	6 km	5.9	0
07/04/2009	Panama City	35 km	6.0	0
11/19/2008	Paso Canoa, David, Puerto Armuelles	20 km	6.1	0
05/04/2006	Boquete	9 km	4.5	0
02/04/2004	Chiriqui	47 km	6.1	0
12/25/2003	Puerto Armuelles	11 km	6.5	2
08/13/2003	Colon, Panama City	27 km	5.4	0
07/31/2002	Baru, Alanje, David; Costa Rica (Laurel)	44 km	6.5	0
11/08/2000	Jurado	58 km	6.5	0
05/04/1991	Changuinola, Almirante, Bocas Del Toro	54 km	6.2	0
07/01/1979	Puerto Armuelles	4 km	6.5	0
07/11/1976	Darien	31 km	6.7	5
07/26/1962	Panama	41 km	7.4	0
03/12/1962	Costa Rica-Panama	16 km	6.8	0

These statistics are based on datas from the National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (NGDC/WDS): Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K. Several data have been summarized and translated.

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