7.2-magnitude earthquake strikes Panama near Tonosi, tsunami warning issued
Synopsis
A 7.2-magnitude earthquake rocked Panama on Friday, its epicentre near Tonosi in Los Santos province, briefly triggering a sweeping tsunami warning for nine countries across the Pacific coast — from Mexico to Peru. The alarm was revoked, the Panama Canal kept running, but with the USGS initially clocking the quake at 8.0, this was a near-catastrophic seismic event whose full damage toll is still being counted.
Key Takeaways
A 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck Panama on Friday, 10 October , with its epicentre 39 km northwest of Tonosi , Los Santos province .
The US Geological Survey initially reported a magnitude of 8.0 , later revising it to 7.7 ; the University of Panama settled on 7.2 .
The US Tsunami Warning System issued a hazardous wave alert for 9 countries including Panama, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Mexico — later revoked.
The Panama Canal Authority confirmed operations were proceeding normally, with technical teams inspecting facilities.
President Jose Raul Mulino urged calm on X, asking Government Minister Dinoska Montalvo for a damage report.
The Education Ministry suspended afternoon classes and closed administrative offices nationwide.
A 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck Panama on Friday, 10 October 2025, with its epicentre located 39 kilometres northwest of Tonosi, a town in Los Santos province, according to a revised assessment from the University of Panama's Institute of Geosciences. The powerful tremor triggered a tsunami warning across multiple Pacific coastlines before it was subsequently revoked.
What Happened on the Ground
Strong shaking was felt across the region, with videos circulating on social media showing the roof of the Albrook bus terminal swaying and windows rattling violently in several buildings. Tremors were also felt in the capital, Panama City, with witnesses describing intense side-to-side jolts and hanging fixtures swinging forcefully inside rooms.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS), which initially reported the quake at a magnitude of 8.0, subsequently revised its figure to 7.7. The University of Panama's Institute of Geosciences placed the final revised magnitude at 7.2.
Tsunami Warning Issued and Later Revoked
The US Tsunami Warning System issued a threat alert warning that hazardous tsunami waves were possible along parts of the coasts of Panama, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Mexico within three hours of the earthquake. The warning was later revoked.
Separately, the tsunami warning department of the Chilean Navy's Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service issued an alert indicating that the quake could trigger a tsunami affecting the country's Easter Island.
Panama Canal and Government Response
The Panama Canal Authority confirmed that canal operations were continuing normally following the earthquake. Emergency protocols were activated, and technical teams were dispatched to inspect canal facilities for possible damage, according to an official statement.
Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino urged citizens to remain calm in a post on X. 'What happened must not be used to spread alarm and disorder,' he wrote. Mulino said he had asked Government Minister Dinoska Montalvo to submit a full report on the earthquake's impact.
Schools Suspended, Emergency Protocols Activated
The Education Ministry suspended all afternoon classes at schools nationwide as a precautionary measure. Its administrative offices were also ordered closed. Authorities continued to assess the extent of structural damage across affected provinces.
This is one of the most significant seismic events to strike Panama in recent years, and assessments of casualties and infrastructure damage were still ongoing as of the time of reporting.
Point of View
Risking both panic and eventual public complacency toward future warnings. Panama's swift institutional response, with the Canal Authority maintaining operations and the government moving quickly on schools, is notable, but the true test will be the damage assessment in Los Santos province, a region far less scrutinised than Panama City. Central America sits on one of the world's most seismically active corridors, and this event is a reminder that Pacific-coast infrastructure and early-warning coordination between nations remain works in progress.
NationPress
10 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the magnitude of the Panama earthquake on 10 October 2025?
The earthquake was revised to a magnitude of 7.2 by the University of Panama's Institute of Geosciences, with its epicentre 39 kilometres northwest of Tonosi in Los Santos province. The US Geological Survey had initially reported a higher magnitude of 8.0, later revising it to 7.7.
Was a tsunami warning issued after the Panama earthquake?
Yes, the US Tsunami Warning System issued a hazardous tsunami wave alert for nine countries — Panama, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Mexico — within three hours of the quake. The warning was subsequently revoked. Chile's Navy also separately warned that Easter Island could be affected.
Was the Panama Canal affected by the earthquake?
The Panama Canal Authority confirmed that canal operations continued normally after the earthquake. Emergency protocols were activated and technical teams were sent to inspect facilities, but no disruption to shipping was reported.
How did the Panamanian government respond to the earthquake?
President Jose Raul Mulino posted on X urging the public to remain calm, stating the event should not be used to spread alarm. He directed Government Minister Dinoska Montalvo to compile a full report on the earthquake's impact. The Education Ministry suspended afternoon classes at all schools nationwide.
Where exactly did the Panama earthquake strike?
The epicentre was located 39 kilometres northwest of Tonosi, a town in Los Santos province in southern Panama. Strong shaking was felt as far as Panama City, the capital, where witnesses described intense side-to-side jolts.
