Panama Earthquake Tsunami Alerts: Which Countries Were Warned After the 7.7 Quake?

A powerful earthquake off Panama’s Pacific coast triggered tsunami warnings and threat alerts across Central and South America, prompting authorities to monitor coastal communities for potentially hazardous waves.

The magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, near Pitaloza Arriba in Panama’s central Herrera province, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The tremor was initially reported at a magnitude of 8.0 before being revised. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center subsequently issued a threat bulletin identifying multiple countries where hazardous waves were possible.

Tocumen International Airport temporarily suspended its operations and activated its safety protocols amid the earthquake and its aftershocks. Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy in Panama also said they are monitoring the situation.

Countries Included in the Panama Earthquake Tsunami Alert

The U.S. National Weather Service’s initial tsunami threat bulletin identified nine countries along the Pacific coast where hazardous waves were possible following the earthquake.

They were:

• Panama: The country closest to the earthquake’s epicentre, where authorities also reported damage to buildings.
• Colombia: Coastal areas were included in the initial tsunami threat assessment.
• Costa Rica: Pacific coastal communities were identified as potentially affected.
• Ecuador: The country’s Pacific coastline was included in the threat bulletin.
• Peru: Parts of the Pacific coast were identified as potentially exposed to hazardous waves.
• Nicaragua: Pacific coastal areas were included in the initial assessment.
• Guatemala: The country’s Pacific coastline was listed in the bulletin.
• El Salvador: Coastal areas were included in the potential threat zone.
• Mexico: The bulletin identified potential hazards along parts of the Pacific coast.

The initial bulletin warned that hazardous tsunami waves could reach some coastal locations within three hours of the earthquake. It also cautioned that the first wave might not be the largest and that the threat could persist for hours.

Chile Also Issued an Alert for Easter Island

The potential tsunami threat extended beyond mainland Central and South America.

Chile’s naval Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service issued a tsunami alert, with Easter Island placed under a precautionary advisory, according to the Associated Press. The island lies in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 3,500 kilometres (2,175 miles) from mainland Chile.

The response highlighted the potential for earthquake-generated waves to travel across the Pacific, although the level of risk varied by location.

How High Could the Tsunami Waves Reach?

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center’s initial assessment forecast waves of between 1 and 3 metres above tide level in some parts of Panama. Its bulletin also identified the possibility of waves measuring between 0.3 and 1 metre in parts of Ecuador.

These were forecast ranges, not confirmation that waves of those heights had reached the coast. Actual wave heights can vary significantly depending on local coastal geography, water depth and other conditions.

The warning centre also stressed that a tsunami consists of a series of waves, which may arrive several minutes to an hour apart.

Panama Earthquake Damages

The earthquake struck near Pitaloza Arriba in Herrera province and was felt in Panama City, where residents reported buildings shaking and people evacuating into the streets.

The Associated Press reported structural damage in several central provinces, including Herrera, Veraguas and Los Santos. Buildings in Penonomé sustained damage, including a partial collapse at the cathedral and damage to a hotel. Local reports also described the collapse of a historic church in Los Santos province.

Panama’s airport temporarily suspended operations for safety checks, while the Panama Canal Authority said canal operations were continuing normally. The earthquake was followed by numerous aftershocks, including a second powerful tremor measuring magnitude 6.6, according to the USGS and AP.