No Tsunami Threat to Hawai`i from Colombia Earthquake

A large earthquake struck off the coast of Panama and Colombia this morning, delivering a brief jolt to residents of both nations.

The 6.6 magnitude event occurred at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles), and struck at approximately 5:43 a.m. Hawai`i-time.

According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, a destructive tsunami is not expected to occur.

The earthquake’s epicenter was located 50-55 miles west of the nearest coastal area in Colombia. However, most media outlets are reporting the quake as an event occurring “south of Panama.”

Panama and Colombia are both located in seismically active areas with long histories of earthquake activity.

In February of this year, a 6.9 magnitude quake shook residents of Colombia for nearly two minutes, damaging homes and businesses. Few major injuries were reported.

The largest earthquake to strike the area in recent history occurred in 2004, when a 7.2 magnitude event struck off Colombia’s west coast, destroying more than 100 buildings.