M4.8 Earthquake 298 km SW of Arenas, Panama — September 4, 2024
2024-09-04 17:30:45 UTC (2024-09-04) · approx. 11:30 AM UTC-6 local
Aftershock of the M5.0 mainshock.
On September 4, 2024 at 17:30 UTC, a magnitude 4.8 shallow crustal earthquake struck 298 km SW of Arenas, Panama, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates 5.2666°, -82.5432°. This earthquake was detected by 113 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 354, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.8 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 239 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 1.2 km — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
This earthquake is part of an ongoing aftershock sequence following the magnitude 5.0 mainshock that occurred 7 days ago 295 km S of Burica, Panama. Since the mainshock, the USGS has recorded 0 aftershocks in this area. Aftershock activity is expected to continue for days to weeks as stresses on surrounding faults redistribute.
Earthquake Details
-82.5432°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.8 earthquake near Arenas, Panama?
The magnitude 4.8 earthquake that struck 298 km SW of Arenas, Panama on September 4, 2024 at 17:30 UTC had a depth of 10.0 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at 5.2666°, -82.5432°, which is 298 km SW of Arenas, Panama.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.8 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
Is this the same earthquake as the M5.0 one earlier?
No. This magnitude 4.8 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 5.0 mainshock that occurred earlier 295 km S of Burica, Panama. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes triggered by stress changes from the mainshock.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000npq3). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2024, September 4, 2024). M4.8 Earthquake 298 km SW of Arenas, Panama — September 4, 2024. Retrieved November 15, 2024 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000npq3/