Strong Earthquake Strikes Southern Costa Rica
A 6.3 magnitude earthquake was reported near Golfito, felt across various regions of the country.
On the morning of March 21, 2025, a significant earthquake occurred in southern Costa Rica, registering a magnitude of 6.3, as reported by the Costa Rican Seismological and Volcanological Observatory (Ovsicori).
The earthquake hit at 8:50 a.m., with its epicenter located approximately 95.2 kilometers south of Golfito, Puntarenas, at a depth of 31.96 kilometers.
A preliminary report from the National Seismological Network suggests a slightly lower magnitude of 5.5, with the epicenter situated 3 kilometers south of Pavón in Golfito.
Witnesses across different regions reported feeling the quake.
In particular, residents in the southern Pacific region noted a long but not overly intense shaking, while those in Batán, Limón, described the tremor as strong.
The offshore location of the quake likely reduced the intensity experienced on land.
Reports from the Greater Metropolitan Area indicated that the quake was barely perceptible.
Following the primary earthquake, another tremor was recorded just a minute later by Ovsicori, measuring 4.7 in magnitude.
This secondary earthquake was located 4 kilometers northeast of Colonia Bolaños in La Cruz, Guanacaste, at a depth of 18 kilometers.
Esteban Chaves, a seismologist with Ovsicori, explained that the earthquakes occurred within a series of transformation faults located south of Punta Burica, which have the potential to generate tremors with magnitudes reaching up to 6.9. Ovsicori indicated that they will continue to monitor seismic activity in the south and throughout the country.
The earthquake hit at 8:50 a.m., with its epicenter located approximately 95.2 kilometers south of Golfito, Puntarenas, at a depth of 31.96 kilometers.
A preliminary report from the National Seismological Network suggests a slightly lower magnitude of 5.5, with the epicenter situated 3 kilometers south of Pavón in Golfito.
Witnesses across different regions reported feeling the quake.
In particular, residents in the southern Pacific region noted a long but not overly intense shaking, while those in Batán, Limón, described the tremor as strong.
The offshore location of the quake likely reduced the intensity experienced on land.
Reports from the Greater Metropolitan Area indicated that the quake was barely perceptible.
Following the primary earthquake, another tremor was recorded just a minute later by Ovsicori, measuring 4.7 in magnitude.
This secondary earthquake was located 4 kilometers northeast of Colonia Bolaños in La Cruz, Guanacaste, at a depth of 18 kilometers.
Esteban Chaves, a seismologist with Ovsicori, explained that the earthquakes occurred within a series of transformation faults located south of Punta Burica, which have the potential to generate tremors with magnitudes reaching up to 6.9. Ovsicori indicated that they will continue to monitor seismic activity in the south and throughout the country.
