Costa Rica Earthquake: 4.5 Magnitude Temblor Rattles San Jose
The US Geological Survey is reporting that a magnitude 4.5 earthquake shook the central part of Costa Rica early Wednesday morning.
According to the USGS, the quake hit at approximately 12:56 am, with an epicenter in Naranjo, about 22 miles west of the country’s capital. The temblor is said to have been felt by many residents of the San José greater metropolitan area, as well as people residing in the provinces of Cartago, Heredia, Alajuela, Puntarenas and Guanacaste.
Meanwhile, the Washington Post reports that a magnitude 2.6 earthquake shook Puerto Rico on Tuesday evening.
According to the USGS, that quake, which occurred at about 6:30 pm at a depth of 5.6 miles, had an epicenter three miles east-southeast of Mayaguez, or about 66 miles (106 kilometers) west of San Juan.
There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage in either quake.
Costa Rica’s deadliest earthquake in recent years struck the northwest part of San Jose in January 2009. That 6.1 magnitude quake took at least 34 lives, including at least three children, left about 64 people missing, and injured at least 91.
In addition to the fatalities, nearly 1,300 people were displaced as a result of the temblor and several houses, roads, vehicles, and a hotel were damaged, and numerous bridges were also destroyed.
