Shallow M8.0 earthquake hits Pitaloza Arriba, Panama

An M8.0 earthquake was recorded at 17:56 UTC on October 9, 2026, about 14 km (9 miles) southwest of Pitaloza Arriba, Panama, at a depth of 33.0 km (20.5 miles).

The event occurred at coordinates 7.5°N, 80.8°W in central Panama, a region characterized by scattered rural communities and interior settlements. Pitaloza Arriba is a local reference point, with the wider surrounding area featuring small towns and agricultural zones.

Given the epicenter’s location within Panama’s interior, essential infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and possibly regional airports may be present within the affected area. The region’s proximity to the Gulf of Panama also means that some critical energy and transport routes could be nearby, though the quake itself was inland.

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

The significance index is 985 (on a scale that runs through 1 000), based on magnitude and estimated impact.

Panama lies near the boundary between the Caribbean and Nazca tectonic plates, making it prone to significant seismic activity. The region occasionally experiences moderate to strong earthquakes, particularly along fault systems that run through Central America.

This information was last updated at 18:02 UTC on October 9, 2026.