Earthquake strikes Panama at magnitude 7.7, tsunami threat issued

Earthquake strikes Panama at magnitude 7.7, tsunami threat issued.

Key points

• As well as in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Mexico, tsunami Warning System indicated ‌potential ⁠tsunami threats nationwide.
• The entire administration of Panama is being mobilized to respond to the earthquake, Panama's President José Raúl Mulino stated Friday.
• Panama's President José Raúl Mulino is calling for calm in the Central American country after the earthquake.
• The USGS documented a magnitude 5.8 aftershock took place shortly after the initial quake, just over 6.2 miles south of Cacao, Panama.
• The temblor was not only felt in the capital, Panama City, but additionally in the the capital of neighboring Costa Rica, Reuters noted.

Earthquake strikes Panama at magnitude 7.7, tsunami threat issued. Natalie Neysa Alund, Michael Loria USA TODAY. Panama hit by 7.7 magnitude earthquake. A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Panama, prompting a tsunami threat.

Meanwhile, a major earthquake jolted the country of Panama on Oct. 9, the United States Geological Survey documented.

In practice, the quake measured a preliminary magnitude 7.7, the USGS remarked, with the epicenter just under nine miles southwest of Pitaloza Arriba.

In practice, the temblor struck just before 1: 56 p.m. ET, and it was not immediately clear whether the quake caused any injuries or damage.

According to the National Tsunami Warning Center, the quake triggered a tsunami threat.

Initially, the USGS documented that the quake measured a magnitude 8.0. US administration 'mobilizing' to provide assist, Rubio notes.

According to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, he is "closely monitoring the situation" in Panama and that the State Department "is rapidly mobilizing resources and personnel to assist" at the request of Panama's administration.

For Americans in the country, Rubio shared a State Department tip line on his official X account. The number for callers in the U.S. And Canada is +1-888-407-4747. The number for everywhere else is +1-202-501-4444.

Notably, the Central American country has a sizable expatriate population from the United States. Tens of thousands of Americans are estimated to live in the country. 'The whole administration is mobilizing, ' president states.

Meanwhile, the entire administration of Panama is being mobilized to respond to the earthquake, Panama's President José Raúl Mulino stated Friday.

"I've given instructions to mobilize personnel, resources and help to those affected, " Mulino remarked in an official note on his official X account. "The whole government is mobilizing to give a response."

Mulino continued: "I will personally participate in the actions and coordination in the areas most affected."

Administration office-holders will offer a press conference to update the country on the situation, the president remarked, without specifying when. U.S. Embassy: 'Assessing potential damage'.

Notably, the U.S. Embassy in Panama, in a post on X, remarked it was "assessing potential damage" from the major earthquake.

For context, the agency remarked it was accounting for the welfare and whereabouts of visitors and U.S. Personnel and asked American citizens in the country to enroll at as well as follow the embassy's social media accounts for the latest information. Panama's president calls for calm.

"One should not use the event to create alarm and disorder, " Mulino remarked in an official note posted to his official X account.

In practice, the president remarked administration agencies are investigating the earthquake and will additionally be "calling for calm." Aftershock noted after initial quake.

For context, the USGS documented a magnitude 5.8 aftershock took place shortly after the initial quake, just over 6.2 miles south of Cacao, Panama. Temblor has not affected Panama Canal.

For context, the Panama Canal Authority is reporting that the country's waterway is operating normally. Panama earthquake felt in Costa Rica.

Notably, the temblor was not only felt in the capital, Panama City, but additionally in the the capital of neighboring Costa Rica, Reuters noted. Potential tsunami threats throughout Central America.

Notably, the U.S. As well as in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Mexico, tsunami Warning System indicated ‌potential ⁠tsunami threats nationwide.

Here are the effects of earthquakes of various magnitudes, according to Michigan Technological University.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund. Share your feedback to support improve our site!

In short, earthquake strikes Panama at magnitude 7.7, tsunami threat issued is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.