Written by on . Last updated December 2nd, 2024.

A shallow and significant M5.8 earthquake struck in the North Pacific Ocean 101 kilometer from David, Panama in the afternoon of Saturday November 9th, 2024. Roughly 1.5 million people may have felt this earthquake. Another nearby country is Costa Rica.

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Earthquake Summary

This earthquake hit under water in the North Pacific Ocean, 57 kilometers (35 mi) off the coast of Panama, 101 kilometer south of David in Chiriquí. The center of this earthquake had a very shallow depth of 10 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.

Date and Time: Nov 9, 2024 02:30PM (Panama Time)
- Nov 9, 2024 19:30 Universal Time.
Location: 101 km south of David, Chiriquí, Panama.
Coordinates 7°31'18"N 82°23'22"W.
Map: Map of area around epicenter.
Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude: MAG 5.8
Detected by 50 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.044 .
Depth: 10 km (6 mi)
A very shallow depth.
Max. Intensity:
V
Moderate

On the Modified Mercalli Scale.
Tsunami Risk: Low tsunami risk
Earthquakes under MAG-6.5 do not usually cause tsunami's.
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 1.5 million people exposed to shaking

This earthquake may have been felt by around 1.5 million people. That is the expected population size of the area exposed to a level of shaking of II or higher on the Modified Mercalli scale according to the USGS.

The highest earthquake impact level for this earthquake is IV, which corresponds with light shaking and likely no damage. Roughly 645,300 people are expected to be exposed to this level. The majority of people (roughly 0.8 million) live in an area exposed to level III, where weak shaking and probably no damage is expected.

People in 2 countries have been exposed to shaking. In Panama , around 1.2 million people, with impact levels up to IV (light shaking, likely no damage). In Costa Rica , around 300 thousand people.

People MMI Level Shaking Damage
0
I
Not noticable None
0
II
Very weak None
814,800
III
Weak Probably none
645,300
IV
Light Likely none
0
V
Moderate Very light
0
VI
Strong Light
0
VII
Very Strong Moderate
0
VIII
Severe Moderate to heavy
0
IX
Violent Heavy
0
X
Extreme Very heavy

Nearby towns and cities

Panama and Costa Rica are both located within 300km distance of the epicenter of the earthquake.

Pedregal in Chiriquí, Panama is the nearest significant place from the epicenter. The earthquake occurred 95 kilometer (59 mi) south of Pedregal. Pedregal experienced an earthquake intensity (MMI Scale) of roughly IV. That level implies light shaking and likely no damage.

Multiple large cities are in proximity of today's earthquake. Panamá is located 356 km to the east-northeast (intensity unknown, possibly low). San José is located 326 km to the northwest (intensity unknown, possibly low). San Miguelito is located 363 km to the east-northeast (intensity unknown, possibly low).

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

Distance Place Intensity (MMI)
95 km (59 mi)
N from epicenter
Pedregal

Chiriquí, Panama.
IV
Light
101 km (63 mi)
N from epicenter
David

Chiriquí, Panama.
IV
Light
114 km (71 mi)
NNW from epicenter
La Concepción

Chiriquí, Panama.
IV
Light
168 km (104 mi)
ENE from epicenter
Santiago de Veraguas

Veraguas, Panama.
IV
Light
213 km (132 mi)
N from epicenter
Changuinola

Bocas del Toro, Panama.
250 km (155 mi)
ENE from epicenter
Penonomé

Coclé, Panama.
251 km (156 mi)
NW from epicenter
San Isidro

San José, Costa Rica.
284 km (176 mi)
NNW from epicenter
Limón

Limón, Costa Rica.
301 km (187 mi)
NNW from epicenter
Turrialba

Cartago, Costa Rica.
304 km (189 mi)
NNW from epicenter
Paraíso

Cartago, Costa Rica.
310 km (193 mi)
NNW from epicenter
Cartago

Cartago, Costa Rica.
312 km (194 mi)
NNW from epicenter
Siquirres

Limón, Costa Rica.
319 km (198 mi)
NW from epicenter
Patarrá

San José, Costa Rica.
319 km (198 mi)
NW from epicenter
San Miguel

San José, Costa Rica.
319 km (198 mi)
NW from epicenter
Tejar

San José, Costa Rica.
321 km (199 mi)
NW from epicenter
Aserrí

San José, Costa Rica.
322 km (200 mi)
NW from epicenter
Curridabat

San José, Costa Rica.
324 km (201 mi)
ENE from epicenter
La Chorrera

Panamá Oeste, Panama.
324 km (201 mi)
NW from epicenter
San Pedro

San José, Costa Rica.
325 km (202 mi)
NW from epicenter
San Felipe

San José, Costa Rica.
325 km (202 mi)
NW from epicenter
Purral

San José, Costa Rica.
325 km (202 mi)
NW from epicenter
Ipís

San José, Costa Rica.
326 km (203 mi)
NW from epicenter
Calle Blancos

San José, Costa Rica.
326 km (203 mi)
NW from epicenter
Guadalupe

San José, Costa Rica.
326 km (203 mi)
NW from epicenter
San José

San José, Costa Rica.
327 km (203 mi)
NW from epicenter
San Vicente

San José, Costa Rica.
327 km (203 mi)
NW from epicenter
San Vicente de Moravia

San José, Costa Rica.
329 km (204 mi)
NW from epicenter
San Rafael

San José, Costa Rica.
329 km (204 mi)
NW from epicenter
San Juan

San José, Costa Rica.
331 km (206 mi)
NW from epicenter
San Rafael Abajo

San José, Costa Rica.
333 km (207 mi)
NW from epicenter
San Pablo

Heredia, Costa Rica.
335 km (208 mi)
NW from epicenter
San Francisco

Heredia, Costa Rica.
335 km (208 mi)
NW from epicenter
Heredia

Heredia, Costa Rica.
336 km (209 mi)
NW from epicenter
Mercedes Norte

Heredia, Costa Rica.
341 km (212 mi)
ENE from epicenter
Arraiján

Panamá Oeste, Panama.
341 km (212 mi)
NE from epicenter
Colón

Colón, Panama.
342 km (213 mi)
NW from epicenter
Alajuela

Alajuela, Costa Rica.
348 km (216 mi)
NE from epicenter
Cativá

Colón, Panama.
355 km (221 mi)
ENE from epicenter
Chilibre

Panamá, Panama.
356 km (221 mi)
ENE from epicenter
Panamá

Panamá, Panama.
359 km (223 mi)
ENE from epicenter
Las Cumbres

Panamá, Panama.
360 km (224 mi)
ENE from epicenter
Río Abajo

Panamá, Panama.
361 km (224 mi)
ENE from epicenter
Parque Lefevre

Panamá, Panama.
363 km (226 mi)
ENE from epicenter
San Miguelito

Panamá, Panama.
366 km (227 mi)
ENE from epicenter
Juan Díaz

Panamá, Panama.
369 km (229 mi)
ENE from epicenter
Pedregal

Panamá, Panama.
373 km (232 mi)
ENE from epicenter
Nuevo Belén

Panamá, Panama.
374 km (232 mi)
ENE from epicenter
Tocumen

Panamá, Panama.
379 km (235 mi)
NW from epicenter
Chacarita

Puntarenas, Costa Rica.
383 km (238 mi)
NW from epicenter
Puntarenas

Puntarenas, Costa Rica.
384 km (239 mi)
NW from epicenter
Quesada

Alajuela, Costa Rica.
Cities and Towns around the epicenter of this earthquake.

Earthquake Intensity Map

The graph below overlays a map of the region around the epicenter with earthquake intensity data provided by the US Geographic Survey. The highest intensity level detected for this earthquake is IV.

I Not felt
II Weak
III Weak
IV Light
V Moderate
VI Strong
VII Very Strong
VIII Severe
IX Violent
X Extreme
Earthquake Intensity Map based on Shakemap Data provided by USGS.

Shaking reported by 354 people

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 354 people have reported shaking in 9 places, all within Panama.We keep updating this article as more ground reports become available. You may report that you felt this earthquake here.

Places with most reports:

  • Las Lomas, Chiriquí, Panama: 114 people.
  • Los Algarrobos, Chiriquí, Panama: 69 people.
  • Bágala, Chiriquí, Panama: 29 people.
  • Canoa, Chiriquí, Panama: 26 people.
  • David, Chiriquí, Panama: 26 people.
  • Pedregal, Chiriquí, Panama: 26 people.
  • Cerro Sombrero, Ngöbe Buglé, Panama: 26 people.
  • Alanje, Chiriquí, Panama: 22 people.
  • Gualaca, Chiriquí, Panama: 16 people.

4 Aftershocks detected

This main shock was followed by 4 smaller aftershocks. Just 1 hr after this main shock, an earthquake measuring MAG-4.2 was detected 69 km (43 mi) south-southwest of this earthquake.

This main shock was prefaced by 7 smaller foreshocks. A 5.6 magnitude earthquake hit 9 hrs earlier nearby.

Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks

Classification Magnitude When Where
Foreshock M 3.0 3 days earlier
Nov 6, 2024 11:16PM (Panama Time)
100 km (62 mi)
NW from Main Shock.
Foreshock M 3.9 13 hrs earlier
Nov 9, 2024 01:05AM (Panama Time)
98 km (61 mi)
NNW from Main Shock.
Foreshock M 5.6 9 hrs earlier
Nov 9, 2024 05:03AM (Panama Time)
6 km (4 mi)
SW from Main Shock.
Foreshock M 4.5 8 hrs earlier
Nov 9, 2024 06:04AM (Panama Time)
14 km (9 mi)
NW from Main Shock.
Foreshock M 4.0 7 hrs earlier
Nov 9, 2024 07:28AM (Panama Time)
42 km (26 mi)
SSW from Main Shock.
Foreshock M 4.4 6 hrs earlier
Nov 9, 2024 08:28AM (Panama Time)
21 km (13 mi)
S from Main Shock.
Foreshock M 3.7 3 hrs earlier
Nov 9, 2024 11:38AM (Panama Time)
27 km (17 mi)
SSW from Main Shock.
Main Shock
This Earthquake
M 5.8 Nov 9, 2024 02:30PM
(Panama Time)
-
Aftershock M 3.8 1 hr later
Nov 9, 2024 03:43PM (Panama Time)
80 km (50 mi)
SSW from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 4.2 1 hr later
Nov 9, 2024 03:55PM (Panama Time)
69 km (43 mi)
SSW from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 3.9 2 hrs later
Nov 9, 2024 04:37PM (Panama Time)
23 km (14 mi)
NE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 3.5 6 hrs later
Nov 9, 2024 08:39PM (Panama Time)
19 km (12 mi)
NE from Main Shock.
Detected MAG2.5+ earthquakes within within 100km (62 mi), that occurred in the three days before and after the main shock.

More earthquakes coming?

Earthquakes can create aftershocks. These are generally at least 1 magnitude lower than any main shock, and as time passes the chance and strength of aftershocks decreases.

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.

Read: How to Stay Safe during an Earthquake (cdc.gov).

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 August 26th, 2024, when a 5.8 magnitude earthquake hit 15 km (9 mi) further east-southeast. An even stronger magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck on October 20th, 2022.

In total, 17 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.8 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 7 months.

Low tsunami risk

DISCLAIMER: We strongly suggest to closely monitor advice from local authorities with regards to tsunami risks. Our analysis is based on automatically collected data from external sources, and these might contain mistakes. In addition, earthquakes can cause landslides that may lead to a tsunami, or be a followed by another, potentially stonger, earthquake.

Based on early data it appears this earthquake was not strong enough (lower than MAG-6.5) to be likely to cause destructive tsunami's. However this earthquake appeared to have hit at a shallow depth under sea, so stay cautious and monitor advice from local authorities.

Tsunami Risk Factors

Factor Under Sea? MAG-6.5 or stronger? Shallow depth?
Explanation Almost all tsunami's are caused by earthquakes with their epicenter under sea or very near the sea. However stay cautious in coastal areas as earthquakes on land may cause landslides into sea, potentially still causing a local tsunami. Under MAG 6.5: Very unlikely to cause a tsunami.
MAG 6.5 to 7.5: Destructive tsunami's do occur, but are uncommon. Likely to observe small sea level changes.
MAG 7.6+: Earthquakes with these magnitudes might produce destructive tsunami's.
Most destructive tsunami's are caused by shallow earthquakes with a depth between 0 and 100km under the surface of the earth. Deeper tsunami's are unlikely to displace to ocean floor.
This Earthquake This earthquake appears to have struck under the sea. Not this earthquake.
This earthquake had a magnitude of 5.8. Earthquakes of this strength are unlikely to trigger a tsunami.
This earthquake occurred at a depth of of 10 km (6 mi). Earthquakes this shallow could trigger a tsunami.

Sources

Last updated 02/12/24 22:18 (). This article contains currently available information about the earthquake and is automatically composed. We continue to update this article up to a few days after the earthquake occurred.

  1. US Geographic Society (USGS): Earthquake us7000nqwx
  2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20241109_0000218
  3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
  4. Google Maps: Static API
  5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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