On October 9, 2026, tremors were felt in Panama City as a significant seismic event unfolded off the country’s southern coast. The shaking was noticeable in Panama City and reached San Jose, Costa Rica.
Early reports described the quake as a magnitude 7.7 event occurring offshore of Panama’s southern shoreline.
The United States Geological Survey later provided its own figure, stating that the main shock registered at magnitude 7.6. The USGS figure differed slightly from the initial 7.7 reading.
Separately, the USGS stated that dangerous waves could develop along the coasts of Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Mexico.
The earthquake originated at a depth of approximately 10 kilometers. The earthquake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers, and tsunami warnings were issued.
Gather the #FootballFerns are all safe and OK in Panama City after the large earthquake centered to the south earlier today No word on any impact on tomorrow's scheduled match v Panama
One source located the epicenter near La Pitaloza, a small rural community in southern Panama.
According to the USGS, the quake’s epicenter was situated near the southernmost point of Panama, at the edge of the country’s territory in Central America. This description situates the event at the extreme tip of the isthmus.
Map showing seismic intensities for the M7.7 #earthquake that struck #Panama this morning. The intensity of the tremor can be seen from the epicentre and surrounding areas. Intensities adjusted for the earthquake. Data: USGS https://t.co/MTc2wnidHW
The Geophysical Sciences Institute of the University of Panama reported that the main shock occurred just before 1:00 p.m. local time near the southern town of Tonsipe.
Timing analyses from the university institute indicated that the primary quake struck just before 1:00 p.m. Panama time.
At 1:22 p.m. local time, a measurable aftershock of magnitude 6.0 was recorded.
The U.S. Tsunami Warning System reacted quickly, issuing alerts that hazardous tsunami waves could reach parts of the coasts of Panama, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Mexico within three hours. The warning also extended to Hawaii, underscoring the far‑reaching potential of the oceanic disturbance.
Separately, the USGS stated that dangerous waves could develop along the coasts of Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Mexico. This list omitted Panama, Colombia, and Hawaii but emphasized the risk to several neighboring nations.
The images conveyed the immediate public response to the perceived danger.
Despite the seismic activity, the Panama Canal Authority confirmed that the canal’s waterway continued to operate normally.
In the early hours after the quake, authorities said there were no immediate reports of significant damage.
Seismic waves were strong enough to be felt in Panama’s capital and as far north as San Jose, Costa Rica.
The local newspaper La Prensa reported that, due to the intense shaking of the ground, buildings, schools, and houses across Panama were evacuated. The paper also provided a direct quote describing the experience: "intense shaking of the ground."
Both the University of Panama’s Geophysical Sciences Institute and the USGS presented their findings in a neutral tone, offering data without assigning blame or speculation about the quake’s broader implications.