Massive 7.7 magnitude earthquake strikes Panama as officials investigate potential tsunami threat

A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck off Panama’s southern coast Friday, shaking the country’s capital as officials investigated a potential tsunami threat. 

The U.S. Geological Survey initially measured the earthquake at magnitude 8.0 before lowering its estimate to 7.7. The quake struck at 1:56 p.m. ET, approximately 6 miles beneath the surface, near Pitaloza Arriba, Panama.

A 5.5 magnitude aftershock followed, with its epicenter approximately 50 miles east of the initial earthquake.

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The earthquake was felt in Panama City and in San José, the capital of neighboring Costa Rica, according to Reuters.

Tsunami officials warned that waves reaching 3 to 10 feet above tide levels were possible along some coastal areas of Panama, while parts of Ecuador could experience waves of approximately 1 to 3 feet.

Smaller tsunami waves of less than 1 foot above tide levels were forecast for coastal areas of Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua and Peru.

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Despite the potential danger to coastal communities near the earthquake, officials said a Pacific-wide tsunami was not expected.

Earthquakes measuring between 7.0 and 7.9 can cause serious damage, according to Michigan Technological University.

Information about possible damage or casualties from Friday’s earthquake was not immediately available.

This is a developing story; check back later for updates.