Strong 7.6 Earthquake Hits Panama, Prompting Tsunami Alert
A major earthquake struck near Panama's southern coast on Oct. 9. Tsunami alerts went out to countries along the Pacific coasts of Central and South America.
- 7.6 is the USGS preliminary magnitude, down from an initial 8.0.
- 9 miles southwest of Pitaloza Arriba: the USGS-reported epicenter.
- 1:56 p.m. ET: the quake struck just before this time.
- Shaking was felt in Panama City and in Costa Rica's capital.
Why it matters: Tsunami alerts reached Pacific coastlines across two continents. U.S. warning officials also flagged a possible threat to Hawaii.
- Nine countries warned, from Mexico south to Peru.
- 1 to 3 meter waves possible along some Panamanian coasts.
- Buildings, schools and homes were evacuated across Panama.
How 36 sources split on this story
Where they split: Early reports disagree on the quake's magnitude and on damage: CNN cites a 7.7 reading and local reports of structural damage, while The Independent reported no immediate damage.
Center coverage, 14 sources: The center focuses on the USGS readings and explains what different magnitudes typically mean for damage.
Left coverage, 9 sources: The left frames the quake as a regional emergency with multinational tsunami warnings, the latest in a deadly year for Latin American earthquakes.
Right coverage, 13 sources: The right leads with the urgency of the tsunami threat triggered by the quake.
What’s next: Coastal residents in threatened areas were told to follow instructions from national and local authorities.
- Damage and injury reports are still pending.
- What is the final magnitude after USGS review?
- How much structural damage occurred, and were there casualties?
- Did any tsunami waves reach the coastlines that were warned?
