TONOSÍ DISTRICT, Los Santos Province — A 5.8 magnitude quake struck close to El Cacao at midday on Friday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The tremor, which shook the area at 18:37 UTC (13:37 local time), was centered approximately 1 km south of El Cacao. It occurred at a depth of 10 km.

Did you feel it?

If you felt the earthquake, you can submit a report through the USGS Felt Report form. The agency has so far received 5 reports via its online form from people who report they experienced weak shaking. Several residents reported feeling the quake in Ancón and the surrounding area according to the USGS DYFI report.

Impact and estimated losses

Yellow alert for economic losses. Some damage is possible and the impact should be relatively localized. Estimated economic losses are less than 1% of GDP of Panama. Past events with this alert level have required a local or regional level response Green alert for shaking-related fatalities. There is a low likelihood of casualties. Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides and liquefaction that might have contributed to losses.

Structure information summary

Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are a mix of vulnerable and earthquake resistant construction. The predominant vulnerable building types are unreinforced brick masonry and adobe block construction.

Tremors last week

In the past week, two earthquakes greater than magnitude 5.5 have been centered nearby. The stronger, a magnitude 7.7 quake, was recorded near Pitaloza Arriba prior to this quake. The other, measuring 5.5, was felt near Bajo Corral on Oct. 9.

Area struck by 7.6 quake in 1991
The area has weathered major earthquakes before. On Apr. 22, 1991, a magnitude 7.6 tremor struck south of Limón in Limón, at a depth of 6.2 miles.

Source: The U.S. Geological Survey