7.7 and 6.6 Magnitude Earthquakes Strike Panama, Buildings Collapse
On Friday afternoon, Panama was hit by two major earthquakes, according to the US Geological Survey. The first quake had a magnitude of 7.7, followed by a second one at 6.6. These quakes caused some buildings to collapse near the epicenter and led to nationwide evacuations. The first quake struck about 10 kilometers (six miles) southwest of Pitaloza Arriba in Herrera province, occurring at a depth of 10 kilometers. The tremors were also felt in Colombia. Initially, the USGS reported the first quake as an 8.0 but later revised it to 7.6 and finally to 7.7. After that, several aftershocks followed, and people in Panama City gathered outside, anxious for news.
Key facts
- Two earthquakes of magnitude 7.7 and 6.6 struck Panama on Friday afternoon
- The quakes collapsed buildings near the epicentre and prompted nationwide evacuations
- The first quake was centred about 10km southwest of Pitaloza Arriba in Herrera province
- The quake struck at a depth of 10km
- Tremors were felt as far away as neighbouring Colombia
- The USGS initially reported magnitude 8, then revised to 7.6 and later 7.7
- Multiple aftershocks followed the main tremors
- Residents of Panama City gathered outside after the quake
Entities
Institutions
- US Geological Survey
Locations
- Panama
- Panama City
- Pitaloza Arriba
- Herrera
- Colombia