No casualties, injuries or significant structural damage were reported after two earthquakes struck Costa Rica early Monday, with the tremors felt mainly in San José Province, according to the National Emergency Commission (CNE).

The first earthquake, magnitude 5, struck at 1:37 a.m. at a depth of 6.8 miles. Its epicenter was about 5 miles northeast of San Isidro de Coronado Canton in San José Province, according to the Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of the National University, known as Ovsicori.

The second earthquake, with a magnitude of 4.5, occurred two minutes later at 1:39 a.m. It also had a depth of 6.8 miles and was located near the epicenter of the first quake, about 6 miles northeast of the same canton, Ovsicori reported.

Experts recorded 30 aftershocks during the three hours following the two main earthquakes. The aftershocks ranged in magnitude from 2 to 3.5.

Seismologists linked the earthquakes to tectonic activity along the Río Sucio Fault, which is located on the northwest flank of Irazú Volcano and extends about 10 miles through the Central Valley region.

The strongest earthquake ever recorded along the Río Sucio Fault occurred in December 1952 and had a magnitude of 5.9.

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

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

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

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

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

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

------------
Have you experienced any emergencies or damage in your community following Monday’s earthquakes?  We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com

----------