How often does Panama have earthquakes?

Panama recorded 1 earthquakes of magnitude 5.0 or greater in the past 90 days. Over the last 5 years it has averaged about 6.6 notable quakes (magnitude 5.0 or greater) per year.

What was the largest recent earthquake in Panama?

The largest earthquake in Panama in the last 5 years was a magnitude 6.7 near 60 km SSW of Boca Chica, Panama.

When was the last major earthquake in Panama?

The most recent earthquake of magnitude 5.0 or greater in Panama was a magnitude 5.1 near 240 km S of Burica, Panama.

What magnitude earthquake can you feel?

Most people begin to feel earthquakes around magnitude 3.0, though it depends on depth and distance. Shallow quakes close by feel stronger than deep or distant ones of the same size.

AUTHORITATIVE DATA SNAPSHOTUpdated Sep 12, 2026, 11:01 PM UTC

EARTHQUAKES · PANAMA

Panama Earthquakes

Recent and significant earthquakes in Panama, drawn from the USGS global earthquake feed and mapped with magnitude and time.

CURRENT STATUS1 active watch

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Current earthquakes in Panama (1)

Panama has recorded 1 earthquake of magnitude 5.0 or greater in the past 90 days.

#Hazard / eventSeverityLocationSourceUpdated

1M4.7 earthquakeElevated2 km NE of Manaca Norte, PanamaUSGSSep 12, 202621 hr ago

EarthquakesElevated

M 4.7 - 2 km NE of Manaca Norte, Panama

2 km NE of Manaca Norte, Panama

USGS21 hr ago

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Event statusHighElevatedAdvisory Tectonic boundary

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HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Recent earthquake history

Panama has recorded 1 earthquake of magnitude 5 or greater in the past 90 days.

Largest in 5 yearsM6.760 km SSW of Boca Chica, Panama · Oct 20, 2022

Most recent M5.0+M5.1240 km S of Burica, Panama · Aug 5, 2026

Notable quakes (M5+) per year6.6average over 5 years

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Notable earthquakes (magnitude 5.0+) per year in Panama

Notable earthquakes in Panama (last 5 years)

Magnitude	Location	Date
M6.7	60 km SSW of Boca Chica, Panama	Oct 20, 2022
M6.5	45 km NE of Puerto Obaldía, Panama	May 25, 2023
M6.3	73 km S of Boca Chica, Panama	Apr 4, 2023
M6.2	206 km S of Burica, Panama	Jul 14, 2025
M6.2	124 km SSE of Burica, Panama	Mar 21, 2025
M6.0	281 km SW of Arenas, Panama	Jan 28, 2022

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COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently asked questions

How often does Panama have earthquakes?: Panama recorded 1 earthquakes of magnitude 5.0 or greater in the past 90 days. Over the last 5 years it has averaged about 6.6 notable quakes (magnitude 5.0 or greater) per year.
What was the largest recent earthquake in Panama?: The largest earthquake in Panama in the last 5 years was a magnitude 6.7 near 60 km SSW of Boca Chica, Panama.
When was the last major earthquake in Panama?: The most recent earthquake of magnitude 5.0 or greater in Panama was a magnitude 5.1 near 240 km S of Burica, Panama.
What magnitude earthquake can you feel?: Most people begin to feel earthquakes around magnitude 3.0, though it depends on depth and distance. Shallow quakes close by feel stronger than deep or distant ones of the same size.

CONTEXT

About earthquakes in Panama

Most earthquakes are too small to feel. The USGS reports millions of quakes a year worldwide, and the vast majority are below magnitude 2.5. A page showing no recent activity usually means no notable quakes, not that nothing is being measured.

Magnitude is a measure of the energy released at the source; shaking you actually feel also depends on depth and how far you are from the epicenter. A shallow magnitude 4 nearby can feel stronger than a deep magnitude 5 far away.

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