The National Emergency Commission (CNE) reported no casualties, injuries, or structural damage following a magnitude 4.4 earthquake that shook parts of the country on Monday.

The quake struck at 5:06 p.m., with an epicenter 1.86 miles (3 kilometers) deep near the National Museum in downtown San José, according to the Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of the National University (Ovsicori).

  

Specialists said the earthquake originated from a local fault in an area with high seismic potential. While the quake was not strong, it was widely felt because the fault is shallow and located near densely populated areas.

 

Three major aftershocks were recorded within the first hour after the main tremor. The strongest registered a magnitude of 2.3 at 6:05 p.m., Ovsicori said.

Costa Rica’s Seismic Alert and Early Warning System (SATT), developed by Ovsicori, remains active and provides residents with real-time alerts on potential seismic activity.

Authorities continue to emphasize the importance of earthquake preparedness. In August 2025, the CNE coordinated the National Emergency Evacuation Drill to strengthen the country’s disaster response and educate the public on practical safety measures for emergencies, including earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, wildfires, landslides, and volcanic eruptions.

Costa Rica experiences an average of 400 earthquakes each month, making it one of the most seismically active nations in the region, according to experts.

The strongest earthquake ever recorded in Costa Rica occurred on April 22, 1991. Known as the Limón Earthquake, the magnitude 7.7 tremor struck  La Estrella Valley in Limón Province at 3:57 p.m. It was felt from Nicaragua to Panama and caused 48 deaths in Costa Rica and 79 in Panama.

Ovsicori is a research institute of the National University dedicated to monitoring volcanic and seismic activity.

The CNE works in coordination with communities and emergency responders to strengthen the nation’s preparedness, response, and recovery capabilities during natural disasters.