No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeArchiveOne year after the Nicoya quake, magnitude-5.9 temblor jolts Guanacaste

One year after the Nicoya quake, magnitude-5.9 temblor jolts Guanacaste

Exactly one year after the earthquake that struck the northwestern Nicoya Peninsula a temblor measuring magnitude-5.9 shook the province of Guanacaste at 6:29 a.m. Thursday, the University of Costa Rica’s National Seismological Network (RSN) said.

The Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Costa Rica (Ovsicori) reported the quake as a magnitude-5.3.

The epicenter was located 19 kilometers southwest of Manzanillo in Santa Cruz. That is 60 km from the Nicoya earthquake epicenter.

The RSN report indicates the temblor was caused by the collision of Cocos and Caribbean plates.

At 10:30 a.m., Ovsicori registered 36 aftershocks with magnitudes of up to four degrees, however most of them have not been felt.

Neither the Red Cross or the Fire Department have received any reports of injuries or damage to structures due to the quake.

On Thursday, President Laura Chinchilla and other government officials presented a report of all the actions taken by her administration on the first anniversary of the magnitude-7.6 earthquake. It jolted most of the country starting at 8:42 a.m. and lasted some 45 seconds. A 51-year-old woman died of a heart attack following the event, although she was not included in the official quake death toll.

According to official figures, the cost of infrastructure replacement was estimated at $100 million, $20 million corresponding to repairs to the Monseñor Sanabria Hospital in the Pacific province of Puntarenas.

Trending Now

What the Red Sea Oil Halt Could Mean for Costa Rica

Saudi Arabia has not exported crude oil through its Red Sea ports since Saturday, after drone attacks damaged its East-West pipeline, according to maritime...

Nearly 10,000 Gunshot Emergencies Hit Costa Rica Hospitals Since 2020

Costa Rica's public hospitals have treated nearly 10,000 gunshot emergencies since 2020, showing how the rise in armed violence is affecting far more people...

Buying Property in Costa Rica – What Foreign Buyers Need to Know

Foreigners can own land in Costa Rica on the same terms as citizens, with one significant exception, and the country has spent two decades...

Shelton Reaches First Grand Slam Final After US Open Comeback

Ben Shelton moved within one victory of ending a 23-year wait for an American men’s Grand Slam singles champion after beating Frances Tiafoe on...

Costa Rica Braces for Higher Fuel Prices as Oil Climbs Back Above $100

Global oil prices climbed back above $100 a barrel this week, and the increase is on course to reach Costa Rica's gas stations within...

Costa Rica Explains VAT Refunds for Hotel Stays Abroad

Travelers paying for overseas accommodation through certain booking platforms with Costa Rican credit or debit cards can face an automatic 13% VAT charge, even...

Costa Rica Jaguar Reappears After Nearly Three Years Off the Cameras

A jaguar that had not been recorded by a wildlife camera in Costa Rica since 2023 has been photographed again on the Osa Peninsula,...

Remembering September 11 From Costa Rica 25 Years Later

From a cantina in Quepos to stunned phone calls home, an American expat recalls watching September 11 unfold from Costa Rica and realizing the world had changed.

Truck Damages Fiber Network and Disrupts Costa Rica’s San Jose Airport

A damaged fiber-optic connection caused long lines, delayed flights and widespread system failures at Juan Santamaría International Airport yesterday. The disruption began after a...
L. Arias
L. Arias
Reporter | The Tico Times |
🌴 The Weekly Pura Vida

Costa Rica, Once a Week

The week's top stories, weather & insider tips — delivered every Sunday. One email, zero clutter.

🔒 Free. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Loading…

Latest News from Costa Rica

Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Car Rentals
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Travel