Powerful 7.7-Magnitude Quake Rocks Panama’s Southern Coast; Tsunami Threat Under Investigation

A strong 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck off Panama’s southern coast on Friday, shaking the nation’s capital while authorities investigated a potential tsunami threat.

The U.S. Geological Survey initially recorded the temblor as magnitude 8.0 before revising the estimate to 7.7. It hit at 1:56 p.m. ET, roughly 6 miles beneath the surface, near Pitaloza Arriba, Panama.

A 5.5 magnitude aftershock followed, with its epicenter located approximately 50 miles east of the initial earthquake.

People stand outside the maternity ward of the Santo Tomas hospital, following a severe magnitude 8 earthquake thet hit the country, in Panama City on October 9, 2026. (Photo by Martin Bernetti/AFP via Getty Images)

According to Reuters, the shaking was felt in Panama City and in San José, the capital of neighboring Costa Rica.

Tsunami officials warned that waves reaching 3 to 10 feet above tide levels were possible along some coastal areas of Panama, while parts of Ecuador could experience waves of approximately 1 to 3 feet.

Smaller tsunami waves of less than 1 foot above tide levels were forecast for coastal areas of Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua and Peru.

Medical workers and patients stand outside a hospital in Panama following a powerful earthquake (Photo by Martin Bernetti/AFP via Getty Images)

Despite the potential danger to coastal communities near the earthquake, officials said a Pacific-wide tsunami was not expected.

Earthquakes measuring between 7.0 and 7.9 can cause serious damage, according to Michigan Technological University.

Information about possible damage or casualties from Friday’s earthquake was not immediately available.

People gather in a square in Panama City after evacuating a building following a powerful earthquake on Oct. 9, 2026 (Arnulfo Franco/AFP via Getty Images)

This is a developing story; check back later for updates.

Source link