A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck off the southern coast of Panama on Friday, shaking the capital and triggering investigations into a potential tsunami threat. The U.S. Geological Survey initially recorded the event at magnitude 8.0 before adjusting the estimate downward to 7.7. The quake occurred at 1:56 p.m. ET, approximately six miles beneath the surface near Pitaloza Arriba, Panama.
The seismic activity was felt in Panama City and in San José, the capital of neighboring Costa Rica, according to Reuters. A 5.5 magnitude aftershock followed the main shock, with its epicenter located approximately 50 miles east of the original site.
Tsunami officials warned that waves reaching three to 10 feet above tide levels were possible along some coastal areas of Panama. Parts of Ecuador could experience waves of approximately one to three feet. Forecasters predicted smaller tsunami waves, measuring less than one foot above tide levels, for coastal regions spanning Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua and Peru. Despite these localized risks, officials stated that a Pacific-wide tsunami was not expected.
Michigan Technological University notes that earthquakes measuring between 7.0 and 7.9 can cause serious damage. Information regarding possible damage or casualties from Friday's earthquake was not immediately available.