A powerful earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 8.0 struck Panama on Friday, prompting an international tsunami threat bulletin for nine countries along the Pacific coast.
The earthquake reportedly struck at 12:56 p.m. Panama local time (1:56 p.m. US Eastern Daylight Time), with an initial location approximately 14 kilometres southwest of Pitaloza Arriba, Panama, at a depth of about 33 kilometres.
The reported magnitude, location and depth were preliminary and subject to revision as seismological agencies analysed the event.
Countries identified in the reported tsunami threat bulletin included Panama, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador and Mexico.
The bulletin indicated that potentially hazardous tsunami waves could affect sections of the Pacific coastline in the listed countries. National authorities were responsible for determining the appropriate warning levels and issuing evacuation instructions.
Potential tsunami arrival times
The bulletin listed the following modelled estimates for the possible first arrival of tsunami waves, in US Eastern Daylight Time:
- Punta Mala, Panama — 2:20 p.m.
- BahÃa Solano, Colombia — 2:34 p.m.
- Cabo Matapalo, Costa Rica — 2:41 p.m.
- Esmeraldas, Ecuador — 3:05 p.m.
- Talara, Peru — 4:01 p.m.
- San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua — 4:06 p.m.
- Monterrico, Guatemala — 4:36 p.m.
- Acajutla, El Salvador — 4:37 p.m.
- Puerto Madero, Mexico — 5:01 p.m.
The times were estimates rather than confirmation that tsunami waves had reached the locations. Actual arrival times and wave heights could differ, and the first wave might not be the largest.
Residents urged to follow safety instructions
Coastal residents and people in threatened areas were urged to follow official emergency alerts, stay away from beaches and harbours, and obey evacuation orders issued by local authorities.
People who experience strong or prolonged earthquake shaking near the coast should protect themselves during the shaking and, when it is safe to move, head to higher ground or inland without waiting for a further alert.
Tsunami currents can remain dangerous for hours after the initial arrival. Residents were advised not to return to affected coastal areas until authorities officially declared them safe.
The reported bulletin was said to have been issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center at 2:01 p.m. US Eastern Daylight Time on Friday.
Authorities and monitoring agencies were expected to provide updates as additional seismic data and tsunami observations became available.
Share this content:
About The Author
