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The earthquake that struck Costa Rica on October 22, 2025 (UTC; local time on October 21) measured 5.9 magnitude, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
Some sources, such as the European Mediterranean Seismological Center (EMSC), initially reported it as measuring 6.0 magnitude. It occurred at approximately 03:57 UTC (21:57 local time on October 21), with its epicenter approximately 7 km south-southwest of Quepos, in the southwest region, along the Pacific coast, in the province of Puntarenas.
The hypocenter was located at a depth of approximately 31 km, classifying it as a shallow to intermediate-depth earthquake in a tectonically active zone near the Cocos Plate boundary.
Impacts
The earthquake was felt widely across much of Costa Rica, including the capital, San José (approximately 60-70 km northeast of the epicenter) and surrounding provinces such as Puntarenas and San José.
Eyewitness reports and seismic networks indicate moderate to strong shaking (up to intensity VI on the Modified Mercalli intensity scale in nearby areas), affecting approximately 3 million people within a radius of more than 200 km.
Videos of the event show visible oscillations in structures, such as during a soccer match in a stadium, where cameras vibrated noticeably, and in supermarkets, where items rattled on shelves.
Minor aftershocks occurred, including a magnitude 4.1 tremor shortly afterward, but no significant escalation was reported.
Damage: As of the latest updates (hours after the event), there are no confirmed reports of structural damage, building collapses, or infrastructure failures.
Local authorities, including Costa Rica’s National Emergency Commission (CNE), are conducting assessments in coastal and urban areas near Quepos.
Preliminary models from sources such as QLARM estimate low economic losses, with a “green alert” from the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System (GDACS) indicating a low likelihood of significant damage.
However, in vulnerable or poorly constructed areas, minor problems such as falling objects or cracks in walls could occur, although these have not yet been documented.
No fatalities or injuries have been reported. Initial estimates from QLARM suggest zero fatalities and between 0 and 50 possible injuries, consistent with the earthquake’s moderate magnitude and depth, which dissipated energy before reaching the surface in a highly destructive manner.
Emergency services and authorities urged residents to avoid using electrical appliances immediately after the earthquake to prevent fire risks, a standard precaution based on historical events.
Assessments are underway, especially in coastal regions, but no evacuations or major disruptions (e.g., to the power grid, transportation, or medical care) have been reported.
The event occurred during the broadcast of a soccer match, causing brief interruptions, but no panic or injuries were reported among the crowd.
Costa Rica experiences around 2,900 earthquakes per year, with this being the eighteenth reported in the last week alone. This earthquake follows a similar magnitude 6.2 earthquake that occurred in October 2024 off the coast, which also caused no significant damage.
There was no tsunami threat, as confirmed by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, due to the location and characteristics of the earthquake.
Minor economic impacts could include temporary business closures for inspections, but widespread effects are not expected.
The earthquake’s location on a subduction zone highlights the current seismic risks, which could exacerbate soil liquefaction in coastal areas if aftershocks persist. However, no landslides, fires, or environmental risks (e.g., to wildlife or agriculture) have been reported.
