Earthquake Jolts Panama
Panama has a lot of advantages thanks to its geographical location. Hurricanes are not common in Panama, unlike in other countries on the Pacific. Panama does however get a handful of earthquakes. Last night was one of the bigger earthquakes that Panama has felt in a while.
The quake, measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale, hit at 1:11am on Wednesday. The epicenter was near the Costa Rica/Panama border. The quake was felt throughout much of Panama. Fortunately there was no damage or injuries reported as a result.
Earthquakes are not uncommon in Panama. There are usually a handful of small rumblers every year. Most of these quakes register between 4-6 on the Richter scale. Though Panama has yet to feel a “big one”, some Panama historians are concerned it’s not a matter of “if” but “when”. With the number of high rises being constructed throughout Panama, one has to wonder if these buildings would be able to hold up should a devastating earthquake occur.
In April 1991 a 7.6 magnitude earthquake rocked Costa Rica and was also felt in Panama. Unfortunately nearly 50 people were killed as a result of that earthquake. The Bocas del Toro province of Panama recorded a number of small tsunamis as a result of that quake.
Did any of you feel the quake early Wednesday morning?
| Written by Rebecca Tyre |  |
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Filed under: Country Guide, Living & Retirement, News on November 19th, 2008
I felt iti. I was working in Golfito, Costa Rica at the time. It shook me out of bed. Worried about a possible Tsunami I dressed and was ready to run up the ridge. After about a half hour I was almost back asleep, still dressed, and a minor after shock awoke me again. I did not sleep well after that.
Hi i was not here in Panama at that time but they say earthquakes in the future are suposse to be more fierce. since i have been in Panama City looking for work i have not felt any but i do agree looking at the buildings here it makes you wonder how the damage will be if they do get a Great Quake . i hope this never happens. will back to looking for work its hard find work here in Panama when you are from Canada any leads ?
Greg from Canada living in Panama
I have lived most of my life in Panama and did
experience a few rumbles,but no one should get
worried. Panama has never had an earthquake
that has killed people,I know this because I
studied Panamenian history during middle
school,high school and while I was attending
tourism school. I guess the Virgin Mary protects
us from all harm. I also have never read in any
panamenian newspaper(and I read them every
week) that Panama has a fault like California
and other regions in the world. We have been
blessed,we haven’t had tsunamis,massive
hurricanes nor tornadoes. California is much
more susceptibel to earthquakes, the San
Andreas fault is huge and very extensive. Resi-
dents of California are in great danger of been
hit by the” big one” and when it happens it
will destroy all or if not most of that state.