Panama Earthquake 2026 (M7.7) – Epicenter, Aftershocks and Impact

Below is the official USGS ShakeMap intensity map (version 8). It shows the epicenter, the rupture zone and how strongly the ground shook across Panama — most severely (MMI VIII–IX) on the Azuero Peninsula. For a global view, use our Live Earthquake Map, where you can filter tremors by time, magnitude and depth.

Source: U.S. Geological Survey. Interactive version: event record on the USGS site.

Follow further aftershocks in Panama and worldwide on our live earthquake map (USGS data, refreshed automatically).

Agencies reported different values — normal in the first hours after a large earthquake:

Rapid methods run within minutes and can over- or underestimate. Moment magnitude (Mww) requires full waveform analysis and best describes the energy of large earthquakes, which is why we use it as the reference value.

A long aftershock sequence followed. The USGS catalog listed 43 events of magnitude 2.5 or greater within 250 km (as of about 10:30 UTC on 10 Oct). Panamanian agencies and media, counting smaller tremors recorded by the national network, reported more than a hundred.

Strong aftershocks can bring down buildings already weakened by the mainshock. USGS warns that further aftershocks, some potentially strong, are likely in the coming days.

Below is only information attributed to an institution. Figures come from early reports and will change.

SINAPROC’s first report listed damage across several provinces:

• Los Santos — collapsed homes, damaged churches and government buildings, roads, fire and police stations; minor damage to Tonosí and Pedasí hospitals; rising waves at Isla Caña.
• Coclé — partial collapse of the Dos Continentes hotel, damaged facades, churches and roads; one person rescued at the Aguadulce market.
• Panamá — minor damage to four apartment buildings, precautionary hospital evacuations, damage in the Pearl Islands.
• Darién and Chiriquí — light damage to homes, businesses and a school.

Fire stations (including Soná) and IDAAN water-treatment plants were also damaged. We do not publish casualty estimates outside official statements.

PAGER is an automated USGS system that estimates impacts minutes after an earthquake from shaking intensity, population and building types. It is a model forecast, not a casualty count.

USGS notes that the region has a mix of vulnerable and earthquake-resistant buildings, including unreinforced brick masonry and adobe. Actual casualty figures come only from the authorities — as of publication they had not confirmed any deaths.

Tsunami threats along the Pacific are assessed by NOAA’s warning centers (tsunami.gov), while SINAPROC issues local instructions. For the strongest aftershock (9 Oct, 20:25 UTC), the warning centers issued information statements saying a tsunami was not expected based on the data and historical records. SINAPROC did report rising waves at Isla Caña. On any coast, follow local orders — after strong shaking, move away from the shore if the water suddenly recedes or rises.

Panama sits where several plates meet: the oceanic Cocos and Nazca plates to the west and south and the Caribbean and South American plates to the north and east. Together they surround the Panama microplate. USGS says the focal mechanism indicates left-lateral strike-slip faulting, typical of this complex boundary. Most historical activity was further west along the Panama Fracture Zone; notable regional earthquakes include M 7.5 in 1934 and M 7.2 in 1962.

If you are in Panama or planning to travel:

1. SINAPROC — official hazard statements, evacuations and road closures.
2. Tocumen International Airport — check your flight with the airline; we had no official information on either a closure or normal operations.
3. Your embassy and your government’s traveller registration service.
4. Aftershocks — stay away from damaged buildings, especially on the Azuero Peninsula and in Coclé.
5. Water and healthcare — some water-treatment plants and medical services were running with restrictions.

Strong aftershocks in Panama remain likely for days. Official guidance (Ready.gov, “Drop, Cover, Hold On”):

1. Drop to your hands and knees, cover your head and neck, hold on to sturdy furniture until the shaking stops. Do not run outside or stand in a doorway.
2. In bed: stay there and cover your head and neck with a pillow.
3. Outdoors: stay outdoors; near slopes or cliffs, watch for falling rocks and landslides.
4. Driving: pull over in a clear area away from buildings, trees, overpasses and power lines.
5. On the coast: after strong shaking, move inland or to higher ground immediately — a tsunami can arrive before any official message.

After the shaking: expect aftershocks, leave damaged buildings and do not re-enter them, keep phone calls for emergencies, and follow SINAPROC statements.

The same two days brought three more events that we cover from official sources:

• Hurricane Simon off Mexico’s Pacific coast
• Hurricane Isaias in Florida and Alabama
• the tornado in Marsala and Petrosino, Sicily

• Infobae — SINAPROC second report (10 Oct 2026); EFE via ABC Color — Panamanian authorities’ tally;
• U.S. Geological Survey — event record us6000u18k (magnitude, PAGER, ShakeMap, tectonic summary);
• USGS — PAGER assessment;
• NOAA — tsunami warning centers;
• SINAPROC — statements of 9 Oct as reported by Telemetro;
• Caja de Seguro Social — statement of 10 Oct as reported by Prensa Latina;
• SINAPROC and authorities — 10 Oct tally (400+ damaged buildings, at least 27 with minor injuries) as reported by Libertad Digital.
• Ready.gov — Earthquakes: Drop, Cover, Hold On;

This article reflects USGS data and Panamanian government statements at the times stated. It does not replace SINAPROC instructions. Casualty and damage figures come only from official sources and are updated after new statements.