Shallow M5.6 earthquake hits offshore Panama

A shallow M5.6 earthquake occurred at 23:07 UTC on December 17, 2025, approximately 152 km (94 miles) south-southeast of Burica, Panama. The earthquake’s depth was measured at 10.3 km (6.4 miles), according to the reviewed data.

The coordinates for the epicenter are 6.7°N, 82.5°W, placing the event offshore in the Pacific Ocean, south of the Burica Peninsula near Panama. This location is outside heavily populated areas and directly offshore.

Given its offshore placement, infrastructure in the immediate vicinity is limited, but coastal regions of Panama may have ports, fishing facilities, and maritime transit routes that could be indirectly affected depending on local ground shaking.

There is no tsunami threat associated with this earthquake, based on its location and available data.

The significance index for this event is 482 (on a scale that runs through 1 000), based on magnitude, felt reports, and estimated impact.

Panama lies near the convergent boundary where the Cocos and Nazca plates interact with the Caribbean plate, resulting in frequent seismic activity offshore and along the Pacific coast.

This information was last updated at 23:23 UTC on December 17, 2025.