No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeCentral AmericaEl Salvador5.6 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes El Salvador and Nearby Regions

5.6 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes El Salvador and Nearby Regions

A magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck El Salvador on Sunday at 9:50 PM local time. The epicenter was located 9 km south of the Conchagua district in La Unión Department, about 180 km southeast of San Salvador. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported the earthquake’s depth at 15.4 km. The seismic movement occurred due to the activation of local geological faults and its shallow nature, as stated by El Salvador’s Ministry of Environment.

The tremor’s impact extended beyond El Salvador’s borders. It was felt in Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras, and reports indicate it was also experienced in Nicaragua. According to the USGS PAGER system, approximately 12,000 people were exposed to very strong shaking, while 97,000 people experienced strong shaking.

Following the main quake, three additional earthquakes ranging from 3.5 to 3.9 in magnitude were recorded in the same area minutes later. The Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) reported a magnitude 4.4 aftershock approximately seven minutes after the main quake. Light to moderate aftershocks are likely over the coming days.

As of December 9, there were no initial reports of casualties or significant damage. However, it’s important to note that comprehensive damage assessments may take several hours, especially in remote areas. In response to the earthquake, Civil Protection reported that it began monitoring various locations in the country. Salvadoran civil protection authorities activated emergency protocols for the quake.

Authorities may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during these shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake’s epicenter. The Ministry of Environment assured that there was no tsunami alert, and no tsunami warning was triggered as a result of this earthquake.

Trending Now

Costa Rica Video Footage Reveals Strange Deer-Bird Interaction

The best part about camera trapping is the moment you pull the SD card out of the camera and stick it in the laptop...

Costa Rica’s UN Ocean Conference Role Slammed as Hypocritical

Costa Rica’s high-profile role in the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France, has triggered fierce criticism from lawmakers and environmentalists, who...

Canada’s Latest Costa Rica Travel Advisory Update

The Canadian government rolled out a fresh travel advisory for Costa Rica, urging travelers to stay sharp due to rising crime and natural risks....

Panama Arrests Banana Union Leader After Chiquita Strike Ends

Panamanian authorities arrested Francisco Smith, leader of the banana workers’ union SITRAIBANA, accusing him of orchestrating road blockades during a six-week strike against Chiquita...

UN Ocean Conference Opens with Push for Deep-Sea Mining Moratorium

The UN Ocean Conference began Monday in France with a call from Secretary-General António Guterres to prevent the ocean floor from becoming the “Wild...

Rising Seas Threaten Costa Rica’s Beaches and Communities by 2030

Costa Rica’s iconic coastlines, from Limón’s Caribbean shores to Guanacaste’s Pacific beaches, face growing threats from rising sea levels driven by climate change. The...
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica