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The
earthquake happened on
Tuesday at 23:23 local time
with a magnitude of 6.5 on
the Richter scale.
/ National
Volcanic and Seismological
Observatory
courtesy photo
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Magnitude
6.5 Panama earthquake
hits the south area in Costa Rica
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
The earthquake happened on
Tuesday at 23:23 local time with
a magnitude of 6.5 on the
Richter scale. The epicenter was
5km SE of Gariche in Puerto
Armuelles*, Panama at a
depth of 26.2 km, according to
the National Seismological
Network (RSN).
More than 290 aftershocks were
detected, from 5.1 magnitude at
23:47 on Tuesday to 3.9
magnitude at 5:53 a.m. today.
"I am in coordination with the
National Emergency Commission to
determine damages in the country
before the strong earthquake
felt a few minutes ago. I remind
the people to follow the
official information sources, "
said President Carlos Alvarado
in a tweet minutes after the
earthquake.
Some social media users reported
feeling a strong shake but there
were no immediate reports of
damage or casualties.
Infrastructure damage was
minimal taking into account the
amount of energy released.
Some communities in the southern
zone, such as in Paso Canoas*,
reported electricity power cuts.
The Costa Rican Electricity
Institute, ICE, reported that
the service has been restored on
Wednesday morning.
According to Marino Protti, a
volcanologist at the National
Volcanic and Seismological
Observatory, the earthquake and
its sequence of aftershocks were
caused by the subduction of the
Coco plate under the Caribbean
plate.
This is one of the most active
areas of the country.
Historically, earthquakes of
magnitudes 7.0 have been
generated, such as the Cobano
earthquake of March 25, 1990.
The risk of a tsunami was ruled
out by experts.
More
updated information can be
reached at National
Volcanic and Seismological
Observatory map here*
Last report from U.S.
Geological Survey can be
reached here*
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