Strong and shallow M6.2 earthquake hits south of Panama
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.2 hit south of Panama at 17:16 UTC on July 14, 2025. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.
Epicenter of M6.2 earthquake in Panama on July 14, 2025. Credit: TW/SAM, Google
The epicenter was located south of the Chiriquí region of western Panama, 216 km (134 miles) S of Burica (population 1 360), and 243 km (151 miles) S of Puerto Armuelles (population 11 743), Chiriqui Province, Panama.
4 000 people are estimated to have felt light shaking and 30 000 weak.
Based on all available data, there is no tsunami threat from this earthquake, NWS PTWC said.
The USGS issued a Green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage.
Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are a mix of vulnerable and earthquake resistant construction. The predominant vulnerable building types are mud wall and informal (metal, timber, GI etc.) construction.
Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides and liquefaction that might have contributed to losses.
Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking
Selected cities exposed
Regional seismicity
References:
1 M6.2 earthquake Panama – USGS – July 14, 2025
2 M6.2 earthquake Panama – EMSC – July 14, 2025
I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.
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