Major earthquake · October 9, 2026
M 7.7 Earthquake, 12 km WSW of Pitaloza Arriba, Panama
A magnitude 7.7 (mww) earthquake struck 12 km WSW of Pitaloza Arriba, Panama on October 9, 2026 at 17:56 UTC, at a depth of about 13 km (8 mi), according to the USGS. 2,005 people sent "Did You Feel It?" reports. The USGS PAGER alert level is orange.
Updated Oct 27, 2026, 10:40 PM EDT (USGS snapshot)
This is not an early-warning system. For tsunami warnings see tsunami.gov; for emergencies follow local authorities.
| Magnitude | 7.7 mww (Major) |
|---|---|
| Time (UTC) | |
| Local time at epicenter | Oct 9, 2026, 12:56 PM EST |
| U.S. Eastern Time | Oct 9, 2026, 1:56 PM EDT |
| Location | 12 km WSW of Pitaloza Arriba, Panama |
| Coordinates | 7.587° N, 80.769° W |
| Depth | 12.6 km (7.8 mi), shallow |
| Felt reports | 2,005 "Did You Feel It?" responses · max reported intensity 7.9 |
| ShakeMap intensity | MMI 7.9 (estimated maximum) |
| Tsunami flag | No |
| PAGER alert | Orange |
| USGS event ID | us6000u18k |
Source: USGS Earthquake Hazards Program, event us6000u18k. Last updated by the USGS Oct 28, 2026, 02:40:36 UTC.
What the numbers mean
- Tsunami flag
- The USGS sets this flag for large events in oceanic regions. It does not mean a tsunami happened or will happen. Official tsunami warnings come from the NOAA Tsunami Warning Centers at tsunami.gov.
- PAGER alert
- An automatic USGS estimate of likely fatalities and economic losses: green (little or none), yellow, orange, or red (highest). It can change as more data arrives.
- Felt reports
- People who felt shaking can describe it through the USGS "Did You Feel It?" survey on the event page. The count grows for hours or days after an event.
Advertisement
Other recent earthquakes within 300 km
| Magnitude | Location | Time | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| M 5.0 | 27 km W of Río Grande, Panama | 11 hr ago | 10.0 km |
| M 4.0 | 2 km S of Valle Rico, Panama | 5 days ago | 10.0 km |
| M 4.4 | 8 km W of Miramar, Panama | 6 days ago | 10.0 km |
| M 4.4 | 6 km SW of Punta Laurel, Panama | 6 days ago | 10.0 km |
| M 4.0 | 2 km N of El Cortezo, Panama | 6 days ago | 10.0 km |
| M 4.5 | 215 km S of Burica, Panama | 7 days ago | 10.0 km |
| M 5.4 | 192 km S of Burica, Panama | 7 days ago | 10.0 km |
| M 4.5 | 0 km NE of Río Grande, Panama | 9 days ago | 10.0 km |
| M 4.6 | 12 km SSE of Tebario, Panama | 11 days ago | 10.0 km |
| M 4.5 | 13 km SSE of Los Asientos, Panama | 13 days ago | 10.0 km |
| M 4.7 | 10 km S of La Mesa, Panama | 14 days ago | 10.0 km |
| M 4.5 | 26 km SSW of Zapotillo, Panama | 15 days ago | 10.0 km |
After an earthquake
Expect aftershocks. If you are near the coast and feel strong or long shaking, move to high ground right away without waiting for an official warning. Check on neighbors and follow instructions from local emergency officials.
On Amazon
Emergency-kit pick
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Advertisement