Earthquakes shook through Costa Rica, Panama, and Guatemala throughout Saturday.
Costa Rica suffered from a magnitude 6 earthquake earlier in the day. The epicenter was 40 miles (65 kilometers) south of the Laurel community in Puntarenas province by the Panamanian border.
Felt strongly on the pacific coast of Costa Rica, witnesses told CSEM/EMSC that the area shook for longer than normal for the area.
The southern part of Costa Rica, and the Panamanian towns of Bocas del Toro and Chiriqui, felt the rumbling as well as the area of San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica.
According to Costa Rica officials, there was no material damage or loss of life due to the quakes.
Panama felt a magnitude 6.4 earthquake a little later in the day. The most powerful shaking was felt in the Chiriqui province, which is on the border of Costa Rica. The epicenter of that quake was at 24 miles (38 kilometers) off of Puerto Armuelles and 342 miles (550 kilometers) away from the Panamanian capital.
Sinaproc Panama spent the time of the earthquake live-tweeting helpful suggestions to people in the area, explaining methods of enduring a quake.
Qué hacer durante un sismo:Mantenga la calma ante todo. Ubique un lugar seguro y espere a que pase el movimiento sísmico.
— SINAPROC PANAMA (@Sinaproc_Panama) December 6, 2014
Translation: What to do during an earthquake: Stay calm at all. Locate a safe place and wait for it to pass the earthquake.
Qué hacer durante un sismo:Las zonas más resistentes de una buena construcción, suelen ser el área que queda bajo el marco de una puerta.
— SINAPROC PANAMA (@Sinaproc_Panama) December 6, 2014
Translation: What to do during an earthquake: The strongest areas of good construction, usually the area under the doorframe.
Qué hacer durante un sismo:No use ascensores y nunca corra precipitadamente. Aléjese de tendidos eléctricos, cornisas y ventanas de vidrio.
— SINAPROC PANAMA (@Sinaproc_Panama) December 6, 2014
Translation: What to do during an earthquake: Do not use elevators and never run headlong. Stay away from power lines and glass windows.
Qué hacer durante un sismo:Prestar especial atención y ayuda a adultos mayores, minusválidos y niños.
— SINAPROC PANAMA (@Sinaproc_Panama) December 6, 2014
Translation: What to do during an earthquake: Pay special attention and help to elderly, disabled and children.
Qué hacer durante un sismo:Proteja su cabeza.
— SINAPROC PANAMA (@Sinaproc_Panama) December 6, 2014
Translation: What to do during an earthquake: Protect your head.
According to Sinaproc, there have been no structural collapses or fatalities in Panama.
Finally, Guatemala endured a magnitude 4.7 earthquake. The epicenter was in southern Mexico, 42 miles (68 kilometers) west of the border and at a depth of 6 miles (10 kilometers). There have been no reports of significant damage done to that area either.
