4.8

M4.8 Earthquake 166 km SSE of Burica, PanamaMay 8, 2026

2026-05-08 03:39:30 UTC (2026-05-08) · approx. 10:39 PM UTC-5 local

MagnitudeM4.8(mww)
Time03:39 UTC10:39 PM UTC-5
Depth10.0 kmshallow crustal
Coordinates6.620°, -82.361°
Felt byNo felt reports
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS

On May 8, 2026 at 03:39 UTC, a magnitude 4.8 shallow crustal earthquake struck 166 km SSE of Burica, Panama, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates 6.6202°, -82.3611°. This earthquake was detected by 65 seismic stations with good 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.

Map showing earthquake epicenter at 6.62°, -82.36°

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
4.8 mww
Depth
10.0 km
shallow crustal
Location
6.6202°N
-82.3611°E

Technical Information

Event ID
us6000sw44
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
354
Stations Used
65
Azimuthal Gap
157.0°
Min Station Distance
2.767°
RMS Residual
0.56 sec
Last Updated
2026-06-02 02:56:41 UTC

Common Questions

How strong was the magnitude 4.8 earthquake near Burica, Panama?

The magnitude 4.8 earthquake that struck 166 km SSE of Burica, Panama on May 8, 2026 at 03:39 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 6.6202°, -82.3611°, which is 166 km SSE of Burica, 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.

What should I do after an earthquake?

If you were in the affected area: check yourself and others for injuries, inspect your home for damage, and be prepared for aftershocks. For detailed guidance, see our earthquake safety guide and emergency planning resources.

Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000sw44). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, May 8, 2026). M4.8 Earthquake 166 km SSE of Burica, PanamaMay 8, 2026. Retrieved June 2, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000sw44/