Strong earthquake strikes western Costa Rica

Damage was reported to be light despite a strong earthquake hitting Costa Rica on Sept. 5.

The magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck a sparsely populated area about 150 km west of the capital city of San José, notes information from catastrophe modelling firm AIR WorldWide.

Damage was not expected to be significant given the depth of the event (40 km), as well as the remote location where it occurred.
The predominant construction type for insured residential buildings in Costa Rica is masonry, many of these either reinforced or confined masonry, notes the AIR statement. Both materials are expected to sustain the moderate shaking generated by the earthquake with little damage.

Masonry is also the main construction type for low-rise commercial and industrial buildings, the statement adds.

A preliminary review by Costa Rica’s National Commission of Risk Prevention and Emergency Attention revealed some structural damage near the epicenter and minor nonstructural damage beyond.