A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.7 struck near the southern coast of Panama on Friday, 9 October, according to the US Geological Survey. The quake occurred at a shallow depth of around 10 kilometres. No damage was initially reported, and the Panama Canal Authority said the vital waterway was operating normally.
The epicentre lay close to the rural community of La Pitaloza, in a sparsely populated area in the south of the country near the Pacific coastline. The relatively remote location is likely one reason why initial reports did not mention major destruction, although assessments were still under way.
The tremor was clearly felt in the capital, Panama City, as well as in San José, the capital of neighbouring Costa Rica, according to Reuters witnesses. Panamanian television showed people evacuating buildings as the ground shook.
Shortly after the quake, the US Tsunami Warning System warned that hazardous tsunami waves were possible within three hours along parts of the coasts of Panama, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador and Mexico. The system also reported a possible tsunami threat to Hawaii, prompting authorities across the Pacific region to monitor the situation closely.
The Panama Canal is one of the most important trade routes in the world, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and handling a significant share of global shipping. Any disruption would have been felt far beyond Central America, which made the canal authority’s quick all-clear an important signal for markets and shipping companies. Central America lies in a seismically active zone where several tectonic plates meet, and strong earthquakes are a recurring risk for the region.
Sources: Reuters, US Geological Survey (9 October 2026)
