Massive earthquake strikes Panama at magnitude 7.7, tsunami threat issued
Massive earthquake strikes Panama at magnitude 7.7, tsunami threat issued
Natalie Neysa Alund and Michael Loria, USA TODAYFri, October 9, 2026 at 6:25 PM UTC
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A major earthquake jolted the country of Panama on Oct. 9, the United States Geological Survey reported.
The quake measured a preliminary magnitude 7.7, the USGS said, with the epicenter just under nine miles southwest of Pitaloza Arriba.
The temblor struck just before 1:56 p.m. ET, and it was not immediately clear whether the quake caused any injuries or damage.
According to the National Tsunami Warning Center, the quake triggered a tsunami threat.
Initially, the USGS reported that the quake measured a magnitude 8.0.
Panama’s president calls for calm
Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino is calling for calm in the Central American country in the wake of the earthquake.
"One should not use the event to create alarm and disorder," Mulino said in a statement posted to his official X account.
The president said government agencies are investigating the earthquake and will also be "calling for calm."
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Aftershock reported after initial quake
The USGS reported a magnitude 5.8 aftershock took place shortly after the initial quake, just over 6.2 miles south of Cacao, Panama.
Temblor has not affected Panama Canal
The Panama Canal Authority is reporting that the country's waterway is operating normally.
Panama earthquake felt in Costa Rica
The temblor was not only felt in the capital, Panama City, but also in the the capital of neighboring Costa Rica, Reuters reported.
Potential tsunami threats across Central America
The U.S. Tsunami Warning System showed potential tsunami threats across the country, as well as in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Mexico.
Earthquake magnitudes
Here are the effects of earthquakes of various magnitudes, according to Michigan Technological University:
Below 2.5: Generally not felt
2.5 to 5.4: Minor or no damage
5.5 to 6.0: Slight damage to buildings
6.1 to 6.9: Serious damage
7.0 to 7.9: Major earthquake, serious damage
8.0 or greater: Massive damage, can destroy communities
Contributing: Reuters
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Massive earthquake strikes Panama at magnitude 7.7, tsunami threat issued
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