A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck off Panama's southern coast on Friday, causing widespread shaking in the country's capital and prompting officials to investigate a potential tsunami threat.
The earthquake, which was initially measured at magnitude 8.0 by the U.S. Geological Survey before being revised downward, occurred at 1:56 p.m. ET and was centered approximately 6 miles beneath the surface near Pitaloza Arriba, Panama.
A 5.5 magnitude aftershock followed, with its epicenter located approximately 50 miles east of the initial earthquake. The quake was felt in Panama City and in San José, the capital of neighboring Costa Rica, according to Reuters.
Tsunami officials warned that waves reaching 3 to 10 feet above tide levels were possible along some coastal areas of Panama, while parts of Ecuador could experience waves of approximately 1 to 3 feet. Smaller tsunami waves of less than 1 foot above tide levels were forecast for coastal areas of Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Peru.
Despite the potential danger to coastal communities near the earthquake, officials said a Pacific-wide tsunami was not expected.
NTC Report coverage is based on reporting from the original publisher.
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