Punta Burica shaken by seismic swarm that triggered a small tsunami

Punta Burica, located in the province of Chiriquí, Panama, was shaken by a seismic swarm on July 22nd, triggering an unusual phenomenon: a small tsunami. According to information provided by the National University (UNA), the incident was caused by an underwater landslide generated by the seismic movements that affected the region. The residents of this border town, located just five kilometers from Costa Rica, witnessed this natural event that raised concerns and alerts in the area. The main earthquake, with a magnitude of 5.7 on the Richter scale, occurred at 1:19 p.m., with its epicenter located south of Laurel, in Corredores, at a depth of 5 kilometers underground. Following this tremor, several aftershocks occurred, with one of magnitude 5 at 2:17 p.m., epicentered south of Puerto Armuelles, Panama. These seismic events triggered an underwater landslide that caused the small tsunami reported in the Punta Burica area. In a video recorded by a local resident, Enoc García, it is clearly seen how the marine current is affected by this phenomenon, contracting and returning to the coast with rapid movements. In response to this situation, the coordinator of the National Tsunami Monitoring System at the National University (Sinamot-UNA), Silvia Chacón, pointed out that the underwater landslide was likely triggered by the seismic activity, a common cause of tsunamis in the region. Although tsunamis are usually associated with large magnitude earthquakes, Chacón explained that tremors starting from 6.0 on the Richter scale can also generate underwater landslides capable of causing these phenomena. In the case of Costa Rica, at least three tsunamis have been recorded in the southern part of the country, with the most recent one during the Holy Saturday earthquake in 1983, where several communities reported flooding. Given the latent possibility of a tsunami at any time on the Costa Rican coasts, Chacón emphasized the importance of preparation and collaboration between communities, Sinamot-UNA, and the National Emergency Commission (CNE). She also mentioned that 11 communities are working to obtain Tsunami Ready recognition, which provides them with the necessary tools to effectively face events of this nature. In a phone conversation with La Nación, Chacón detailed that tsunamis are mainly caused by earthquakes that deform the seabed, although they can also be generated by underwater collapses, volcanic eruptions, or meteorite falls. She highlighted the rarity of "meteotsunamis," triggered by abrupt changes in atmospheric pressure, and mentioned the case of the tsunami caused by the eruption of the underwater volcano Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai in January 2022 due to an atmospheric shock wave. Given the complexity and diversity of factors that can trigger a tsunami, it is essential that coastal communities are prepared and have the necessary protocols to act quickly and efficiently in the event of an event of this magnitude. Nature once again reminds us of its strength and urges us to be alert and united in the face of possible risk scenarios.