M 5.4 Moderate Earthquake Strikes South of Panama
A magnitude 5.4 earthquake occurred south of Panama on March 18, 2026. The shallow seismic event was recorded at a depth of 10 kilometers by the USGS.
What Happened
A moderate earthquake with a magnitude of 5.4 (mww) occurred south of Panama on March 18, 2026. The seismic event was recorded at 11:36:45 UTC (approximately 6:36 AM local time). According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake originated at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers.
Location Details
The earthquake was centered at coordinates 4.9769°N and 82.5755°W, a region located in the waters south of Panama. The depth of 10 kilometers is classified as shallow. Shallow earthquakes—those occurring at depths of less than 20 kilometers—are typically felt more intensely at the surface than deeper events of the same magnitude because the energy is released closer to the surface.
Impact Assessment
Based on the current data from the USGS, there is no tsunami advisory, watch, or warning in effect (tsunami status: 0). The event has been officially reviewed by seismologists. While the source data does not include specific felt reports or a PAGER alert level, earthquakes of this magnitude are generally noticeable over a wide area.
What You Should Know
A magnitude 5.4 event is classified as a “moderate earthquake.” According to standard seismic context, moderate earthquakes can cause damage to poorly constructed buildings but usually result in little to no damage to well-built structures. Residents in the surrounding region should be aware of the potential for aftershocks, which are common following an event of this size.
Source
Information provided by the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program.
Source: USGS Official Notice