CRISISBOOM

examiner.com

Original Story: A powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck on the west coast of Costa Rica on Wednesday, according to the United States Geological Survey. The epicenter was 38 miles south-southeast of Liberia, Costa Rica at a depth of 25 miles.

According to a statement from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, a tsunami warning was in effect for Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala and Peru.

The tsunami watch that was issued for the entire Caribbean region was later canceled because it was inadvertently sent by mistake. No tsunami watch is in effect for the Caribbean Sea region.

A later statement said that an evaluation of the Pacific wide tsunami threat was underway and there is a possibility that Hawaii could be elevated to a watch or warning status.

Earthquakes of this size have the potential to create a widespread destructive tsunami that can affect coastlines near the epicenter within minutes and more distant coastlines within hours, but it is not known if one was generated.

According to ABC news, in the coastal town of Nosara in northwest Costa Rica, trees shook violently and light posts swayed. Teachers chased primary school students outside. There were no reports of major damage at this time.