43 earthquakes recorded in Panama regional monitoring zone
Real-Time Earthquakes in Panama
Continuous seismic tracking along the North Panama Deformed Belt, Panama Fracture Zone, and isthmus fault systems.
Recent Earthquakes in Panama
LIVELive telemetry feed and seismic report for earthquakes in Panama.
Active Fault Systems & Tectonic Setting
Geodynamic boundaries, subduction dynamics, and crustal deformation zones.
Panama is situated on the Panama Microplate, an active tectonic block situated between the Cocos, Nazca, Caribbean, and South American plates. Complex faulting along the North Panama Deformed Belt and the Panama Fracture Zone generates frequent tremors monitored in real time by the Instituto de Geociencias (IGC-UP).
North Panama Deformed Belt (NPDB)
Compressional Thrust & Fold Belt / Subduction MarginActive Caribbean arc-parallel thrust system capable of generating major offshore earthquakes and tsunamis, source of the 1882 and 1991 events.
Panama Fracture Zone (PFZ)
Dextral Strike-Slip Oceanic Transform FaultMajor north-south trending transform boundary in the Pacific ocean separating the Cocos and Nazca plates with frequent M6.0+ seismic activity.
Pedro Miguel Fault
Left-Lateral Strike-Slip Crustal FaultActive shallow crustal fault traversing the Panama Canal isthmus, closely monitored for canal infrastructure and seismic hazard in Panama City.
Limón-Charco Azul Fault Zone
Transpressional Plate Boundary FaultComplex border fault structure between Panama and Costa Rica in the Chiriquí Gulf region, characterized by repeated shallow tremors.
Landmark & Historical Earthquakes
Significant seismic benchmarks, cataloged magnitudes, and geological impacts.
San Blas Gulf, Caribbean Coast
September 7, 1882Severe rupture in the North Panama Deformed Belt generating a major tsunami that struck the San Blas archipelago and severely damaged Panama City and Colón.
Bocas del Toro / Limón Border Region
April 22, 1991Powerful transpressional thrust event in the Bocas del Toro and Limón region causing extensive ground deformation, 28 casualties in Panama, and widespread coastal liquefaction.
Chiriquí / Puerto Armuelles, Pacific Coast
July 18, 1934Major strike-slip rupture near the Panama Fracture Zone causing structural devastation in Puerto Armuelles, David, and western Panama.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about seismic activity, safety, and monitoring in Panama.
Why does Panama experience seismic activity despite being outside major subduction trenches?▾
Panama sits atop the Panama Microplate, an active tectonic block squeezed between the Cocos, Nazca, Caribbean, and South American plates. Stress convergence along the North Panama Deformed Belt and the Panama Fracture Zone drives frequent earthquakes across the isthmus.
Is the Panama Canal at risk from earthquakes?▾
The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) designs and reinforces canal locks, dams, and bridges to withstand seismic acceleration. The Pedro Miguel and Miraflores faults cross near the waterway and are continuously monitored by seismic sensor arrays operated in partnership with the IGC.