The magnitude 7.5 earthquake that struck Panama on October 9 triggered at least 2,351 landslides, according to a preliminary analysis of satellite images by the Institute of Geosciences of the University of Panama. The ground movements were identified through image processing from the Copernicus Sentinel-2 L2A system, which made it possible to locate the areas affected by the earthquake, recorded at 12:56 pm, with its epicenter 39 kilometers northwest of Tonosí, Los Santos province. The Institute of Geosciences warned that the results are preliminary because cloud cover during the satellite’s passage prevented the observation of some areas.
Pictured above are landslides on a mountainside in Malena, Veraguas province, following the 7.5 magnitude earthquake on October 9. For this reason, the figure of 2,351 landslides could increase as new images are incorporated and the validation of information on the ground progresses. The Institute of Geosciences preliminarily identified 2,351 landslides associated with the October 9, 2026 earthquake using Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite imagery. The black dots below show their location. Courtesy/Institute of Geosciences. The analysis provides a first approximation of the magnitude of the earth movements triggered by the earthquake, although it has not yet been specified how many of these landslides affected roads, homes or other infrastructure.
Landslides in a mountainous area of Azuero, following the 7.5 magnitude earthquake that struck Panama on October 9. The new record of landslides comes just over a week after the earthquake, which left one dead, 26 injured and nearly 3,000 homes with some type of damage, according to the balance presented by the Government on Friday, October 16. Authorities also reported damage to 22 bridges, while 92% of the roads affected by structural collapses had already been reopened. The most significant damage is concentrated in the provinces of Coclé, Herrera, Los Santos, and Veraguas. As of Friday, October 16, the government had assisted 22,400 people and assessed 6,800 families. It also maintained 46 shelters for those affected who were still unable to return to their homes.
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