Significant M5.5 Earthquake struck on Wednesday Afternoon 150km from Managua in Nicaragua.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on April 17th, 2024. Last updated May 3rd, 2024.

In the afternoon of Wednesday April 17th, 2024, a significant MAG-5.5 earthquake hit under land 150 kilometer from Managua in Nicaragua. Around 9 million people have been exposed to shaking. Another country near the epicenter is Costa Rica.

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Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in Nicaragua, 150 kilometer (93 mi) south-east of Managua. The center of this earthquake had an intermediate depth of 154 km.

Date and Time:	Apr 17, 2024 03:21PM (Costa Rica Time) - Apr 17, 2024 21:21 Universal Time.
Location:	29 km NW of San José, Alajuela, Costa Rica. Coordinates 11°8'50"N 85°18'50"W.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 5.5 Detected by 87 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.033 .
Depth:	154 km (96 mi) An intermediate depth.
Max. Intensity:	IV Light On the Modified Mercalli Scale.
Tsunami Risk:	Tsunami very unlikely Tsunami's are usually caused by MAG-6.5+ earthquakes, less than 100km shallow, and with an epicenter under sea. Neither of this seems to be the case. Always stay cautious - More info here.

Minimal impact predicted

Based on scientific estimates by the US Geographic Survey (USGS), the risk of high fatalities for this earthquake is classified at level GREEN (low). They expect an 65% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 fatalities, and a 96% chance that the number of fatalities falls no higher than 10.

The USGS classifies the economic impact of this earthquake at level GREEN (low). They expect an 65% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 million US Dollars in economic damage and impact, and a 96% chance that the economic impact of this earthquake falls no higher than 10 million USD.

Roughly 9 million people exposed to shaking

The USGS has published a report estimating the number of people exposed to this earthquake. Acoording to their analysis, roughly 9 million have been exposed to shaking at an MMI level of II or higher.

The highest earthquake impact level for this earthquake is IV, which corresponds with light shaking and likely no damage. Roughly 1,097,000 people are expected to be exposed to this level. Intensity level III was experienced by the majority of people (around 8 million). In their region, weak shaking and probably no damage can be expected.

People in 2 countries have been exposed to shaking. In Costa Rica , around 4.8 million people, with impact levels up to IV (light shaking, likely no damage). In Nicaragua , around 4.3 million people.

Nearby towns and cities

2 countries can be found within 300km of the epicenter of this earthquake: Costa Rica and Nicaragua .

San José in Alajuela, Costa Rica is the nearest significant place from the epicenter. The earthquake occurred 29 kilometer (18 mi) northwest of San José. The intensity of shaking and damage in San José is estimated to be around level IV on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (light shaking, likely no damage).

Major cities near this earthquake: Managua is located 150 km to the northwest and experienced an intensity of III (weak shaking, probably no damage). San José is located 191 km to the south-east and experienced an intensity of III (weak shaking, probably no damage). Masaya is located 125 km to the northwest and experienced an intensity of III (weak shaking, probably no damage).

A complete list of nearby places is included below. Estimated intensity data (MMI) sourced from a shake-map published by the US Geographic Survey is shown where available (cities without data probably experienced little impact).

Overview of nearby places

Earthquake Intensity Map

The maximum intensity (MMI Scale) caused by this earthquake is IV. The map below shows in which areas this earthquake was the most and least impactful. It is based on data from the US Geographic Survey.

I Not felt

II Weak

III Weak

IV Light

V Moderate

VI Strong

VII Very Strong

VIII Severe

IX Violent

X Extreme

Shaking reported by 80 people in 2 countries

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 80 people have reported shaking in 41 places in 2 countries (Nicaragua, Costa Rica).We keep updating this article as more ground reports become available. You may report that you felt this earthquake here.

Places with most reports:

• Sardinal, Guanacaste, Costa Rica: 7 people.
• Juntas, Guanacaste, Costa Rica: 5 people.
• Paquera, Puntarenas, Costa Rica: 5 people.
• Sámara, Guanacaste, Costa Rica: 5 people.
• San José, San José, Costa Rica: 5 people.
• Jacó, Puntarenas, Costa Rica: 4 people.
• Quepos, Puntarenas, Costa Rica: 4 people.
• Fortuna, Alajuela, Costa Rica: 3 people.
• Tigra, Alajuela, Costa Rica: 2 people.
• Hojancha, Guanacaste, Costa Rica: 2 people.

2 Aftershocks detected

Since this main shock, 2 smaller aftershocks were detected. A 3 magnitude earthquake hit 2 days later 90 km (56 mi) south-east of this earthquake.

Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks

More earthquakes coming?

Aftershocks are usually at least 1 order of magnitude less strong than main shocks. The more time passes, the smaller the chance and likely strength of any potential aftershocks.

In only six percent of cases, significant earthquakes are followed by a larger main shock, making the current earthquake a foreshock. While the chance of this happening is not so large, it is adviced to maintain cautiousness in the hours and days following a major earthquake.

Earthquakes like this happen often in the region

Earthquakes of this strength are very common in the region. This is the strongest earthquake to hit since March 17th, 2024, when a 5.6 magnitude earthquake hit 289 km (179 mi) further west-northwest. An even stronger magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck on April 21st, 2022.

In total, 21 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.5 or higher have been registered within 300km (186 mi) of this epicenter in the past 10 years. This comes down to an average of once every 6 months.

Tsunami very unlikely

It is very unlikely that this eartquake will cause any tsunami's. The reported magnitude is lower than the MAG-6.5 strength required to cause any earthquakes. In addition, this earthquake was not very shallow and appears to have occurred under land. However always stay cautious and monitor advice from local authorities.

Tsunami Risk Factors

Sources

Last updated 03/05/24 23:08 (). As more information on this earthquake becomes available this article will be updated. This article is automatically composed based on data originating from multiple sources.

1. US Geographic Society (USGS): Earthquake us7000mcrs
2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20240417_0000262
3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
4. Google Maps: Static API
5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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