The Watchers – April 21, 2022
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.7 hit near the coast of Panama at 07:24 UTC on April 21, 2022. The agency is reporting a depth of 25.3 km (15.7 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.7 at a depth of 40 km (24.8 miles).
The epicenter was located about 58.2 km (36.2 miles) WSW of Masachapa (population 5 000), 68.7 km (42.7 miles) WSW of San Rafael del Sur (population 29 836), and 88.8 km (55.2 miles) WSW El Crucero (population 16 469), Managua, Nicaragua.
There are 910 000 people living within 100 km (62 miles).
1 000 people are estimated to have felt strong shaking and 807 000 moderate.
Based on all available data, there is no tsunami threat from this earthquake, 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 highly vulnerable to earthquake shaking, though some resistant structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are mud wall and adobe block construction.
Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides that might have contributed to losses.