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

Five More Arrested as Costa Rica Steps Up Sea Turtle Protection at Ostional

Five more people have been detained during sea turtle protection operations at Ostional National Wildlife Refuge in Guanacaste, bringing the number of people arrested...

Who Is Costa Rica Really Competing With for Tourists?

Costa Rica's tourism board says its rivals are Thailand, Indonesia and New Zealand, not its neighbors. Business chambers see a wider field and warn the country is getting too expensive.

Costa Rica Airport Warns Drone Incidents Are Disrupting Flights

Reports of drones flying near San Jose's Juan Santamaría International Airport have increased sharply this year, prompting airport officials to warn that unauthorized flights...

Honduras Adopts El Salvador-Style Prison Measures Against Gangs

Honduras has approved stricter prison rules targeting suspected gang members and drug traffickers, adopting measures similar to those used in El Salvador’s anti-gang crackdown.

Used-Car Importers Take Costa Rica’s New Vehicle Tax Formula to Court

Costa Rica's used-car importers will challenge in court a Hacienda decree they say doubles or triples import taxes. The ministry cites evasion.

Costa Rica Court Freezes Access to Playa Blanca Marine Wetland

A Costa Rican court has temporarily suspended visitor and vehicle access to the Playa Blanca Marine Wetland in Garabito. The tribunal said public use...

Remote Osa Eco-Lodge Playa Cativo Joins Small Luxury Hotels of the World

Playa Cativo Lodge, a secluded beachfront retreat on the Golfo Dulce in Costa Rica's Southern Zone, has been admitted into Small Luxury Hotels of...

Costa Rica’s Former Simón Bolívar Zoo Opens for Coffee Day

San José residents will get another chance to walk the grounds of the former Simón Bolívar Zoo on Saturday, October 3, when the site...

Costa Rica Proposes Ending Electric Vehicle Tax Breaks

Anyone thinking about buying an electric vehicle in Costa Rica could eventually face a much higher tax bill under a new government proposal that...
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