Magnitude 7.7 earthquake strikes southern Panama; USGS gives it its highest impact alert
This story has been updated: Update: Panama declares a state of emergency after the quake; 27 injured, no deaths reported Oct. 10, 2026
Oct. 9, 2026 — A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck southern Panama at 17:56 UTC, about 12 km west-southwest of Pitaloza Arriba, at a depth of about 13 km, the U.S. Geological Survey said, revising an initial magnitude of 7.6. Its automated impact estimate gave the quake a red alert, its highest level. Aftershocks of magnitude 5.5, 5.8 and 6.6 followed within three hours. The U.S. Tsunami Warning System said hazardous waves were possible along parts of the coasts of Panama, Colombia, Costa Rica and other countries from Mexico to Peru, ABC News (Australia) reported.
The wall: Damage and casualties, and the current tsunami status for each coast, were not known at publication; the USGS alert is a model estimate, not a count.
Tier: Reported (based on the USGS earthquake data; the tsunami statement is ABC News (Australia)'s account)
Sources
- USGS, earthquake catalog: M 7.7 - 12 km WSW of Pitaloza Arriba, Panama (Oct. 9, 2026)
- USGS, M 6.6 - 14 km W of Río Grande, Panama (Oct. 9, 2026)
- ABC News (Australia), Powerful 7.6-magnitude earthquake hits off coast of Panama, prompting tsunami warning (Oct. 10, 2026)
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