Tremors were felt as far away as neighboring Colombia, and the US National Weather Service (미국 기상청) issued tsunami warnings for the coasts of five countries, including Panama and Colombia. However, the reports provided do not confirm the extent of the death toll or property damage, or whether the warnings were later lifted.

Background and context

According to the US Geological Survey (미국 지질조사국), the epicenter was about 10 kilometers southwest of Pitalosa Arriba, a remote community in central Panama’s Herrera province, and the earthquake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers. In the capital, Panama City, residents gathered outside buildings while waiting to learn about the effects of the earthquake.

Rosendo Dominguez, 60, from Herrera province, told The Associated Press by phone that the powerful shaking knocked things over in his kitchen, but that he and his family were okay. He said it was very frightening and that everyone was outside and scared. Reports also said aftershocks (shaking that follows a major earthquake) rattled the streets on Friday, shortly after the earthquake, indicating that residents remained anxious after the initial shaking.

What this means

This earthquake was not an event whose impact could be assessed in Panama alone. The US National Weather Service’s tsunami warnings covered the coasts of Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Nicaragua and Guatemala. For residents in those areas, not only the earthquake’s magnitude but also whether the warnings remain in effect and what guidance is issued for their area may be important to making safety decisions.

For example, residents on coasts covered by the warnings cannot conclude from the fact that a warning was issued alone whether actual damage occurred or whether the warning was lifted. That is why it is important to check local guidance and whether the warnings have changed. Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino reportedly posted on X on Friday urging people to remain calm, but the full text of the post was not included in the source material provided.

Differences between reports

The two reports gave different magnitudes for the earthquake. One reported a magnitude of 7.6, while the other reported a magnitude of 7.7. The reports gave the same information on other key points, including the location and depth of the epicenter, the time of the earthquake and the countries covered by the tsunami warnings, so this article does not state a single magnitude as definitive.

What is confirmed and what remains unknown

Confirmed

  • The earthquake struck Panama on Friday morning, and reports said buildings shook and people evacuated in the capital.
  • Tremors were felt as far away as Colombia, and aftershocks followed the earthquake.
  • The US Geological Survey placed the epicenter about 10 kilometers southwest of Pitalosa Arriba in Herrera province and gave the depth as 10 kilometers.
  • The US National Weather Service issued tsunami warnings for the coasts of Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Nicaragua and Guatemala.
  • Reports differed on the earthquake’s magnitude, giving it as either 7.6 or 7.7.

Still unknown

  • How many people were killed or injured, and what was the extent of the damage?
  • Were the tsunami warnings later lifted?
  • What was the full text of President Mulino’s post on X?

What readers should check

  • Anyone living or staying in Panama or along the coasts of neighboring countries should check the latest local safety guidance and whether the tsunami warnings have changed.
  • Because reports give different magnitudes, anyone citing the magnitude should also note the discrepancy between 7.6 and 7.7.

References