Earthquakes in Costa Rica

It is no wonder that Costa Rica experiences numerous earthquakes a year. The country lies on top of two adjoining tectonic plates. The Cocos and Caribbean plates meet directly beneath Costa Rica and when there is movement between the two, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur.

In the past four days, the country has experienced three earthquakes. Of course none of them were major earthquakes but they still were felt all the same. The first one occurred on Friday morning at around 6:05am. It measured in at 3.8 on the Richter scale originating just 15 kilometers below the ground in the northwest of Santa Maria de Dota. This one although not very big, I could definitely feel while lying in my bed. My alarm had just gone off and I was half awake contemplating getting out of bed. Then it started. It felt as though I had a cheesy motel vibration machine on my bed and my closet doors rattled. It lasted for what I thought was one minute, but I do not know that for sure. Being from the Pacific Northwest in the States, this was not the first earthquake I have felt, but it sure was exciting.

The other two earthquakes occurred on Sunday morning, one at 5:31am and the other at 9:48am. They were both felt on in the Central Pacific and were originated just seven kilometers southwest of Parrita. The first measured 3.7 and the second 3.6 on the Richter scale.

Earthquakes in Costa Rica are part of the usual day to day routine for many, but for visitors it is somewhat of a thrill although not to be taken lightly.

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