M4.5 Earthquake 17 km SE of Puerto Cortés, Costa Rica — May 22, 2026
2026-05-22 09:20:03 UTC (9 hours ago) · approx. 3:20 AM UTC-6 local
On May 22, 2026 at 09:20 UTC, a magnitude 4.5 shallow crustal earthquake struck 17 km SE of Puerto Cortés, Costa Rica, at a depth of 38.2 km and coordinates 8.8755°, -83.3957°. This earthquake was detected by 46 seismic stations with good location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 312, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.5 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 85 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 767 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
Earthquake Details
-83.3957°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.5 earthquake near Puerto Cortés, Costa Rica?
The magnitude 4.5 earthquake that struck 17 km SE of Puerto Cortés, Costa Rica on May 22, 2026 at 09:20 UTC had a depth of 38.2 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at 8.8755°, -83.3957°, which is 17 km SE of Puerto Cortés, Costa Rica.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.5 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: us6000szg7). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, May 22, 2026). M4.5 Earthquake 17 km SE of Puerto Cortés, Costa Rica — May 22, 2026. Retrieved May 22, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000szg7/