Strong earthquake shakes Panama, prompting tsunami alert
Quick Look
- A magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck southern Panama near Pitaloza Arriba on Friday morning, with tremors felt in Panama City.
- The US Tsunami Warning System issued alerts for hazardous tsunami waves along the coasts of Panama, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador, Mexico, and Hawaii within the next three hours.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The earthquake occurred near Panama's southern tip at a depth of 10 kilometers, according to the US Geological Survey.
A powerful magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck Panama on Friday morning.
According to the US Geological Survey, the quake's epicenter was located approximately 10 kilometers (6 miles) southwest of the remote community of Pitaloza Arriba, near Panama's southern tip.
The quake struck at a depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles).
Tremors shook Panama City, causing buildings to shake and prompting people to evacuate into the streets.
Shortly after the quake, aftershocks continued to shake the streets on Friday.
Meanwhile, the US Tsunami Warning System issued an alert stating that hazardous tsunami waves were possible along parts of the coasts of Panama, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Mexico within the next three hours.
The system also reported a tsunami threat to Hawaii.
More to follow...
Edited by: Sean Sinico
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Aftershocks will continue to affect the region in the coming hours and days.
Very likely · Within days
Tsunami warnings may be canceled or downgraded if no significant waves are detected.
Likely · Within hours
Open Questions
- What is the extent of damage and casualties?
- How long will aftershocks continue?
- Will tsunami waves materialize as warned?
