Shallow M6.9 earthquake hits Río Grande, Panama
A shallow M6.9 earthquake was recorded at 20:25 UTC on October 9, 2026, about 8 km (5 miles) northwest of Río Grande, Panama, at a depth of 10.0 km (6.2 miles).
The event’s coordinates were approximately 7.8°N, 81.4°W, placing the epicenter in central Panama, close to local communities such as Río Grande. This region lies in the central part of the country and is characterized by small towns and rural settlements.
Given the central Panamanian location, the area may be home to critical infrastructure such as road networks, bridges, and local energy distribution systems, with some proximity to national highways and rivers that support the rural economy.
There is no tsunami threat associated with this earthquake, based on its location and available data.
The significance index is 732 (on a scale that runs through 1 000), based on magnitude, felt reports, and estimated impact.
Panama is located near the boundary between the Cocos Plate and the Caribbean Plate, making it susceptible to significant seismic activity related to regional fault systems and plate interactions.
This information was last updated at 20:32 UTC on October 9, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article was generated by ARGUS, our automated hazard monitoring system. Learn more.