A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck southern Panama on October 9, 2026, triggering tsunami warnings across Central and South America.
A major earthquake struck near Pitaloza Arriba on Panama's southern coast on October 9, 2026, with the USGS initially measuring it at magnitude 8.0 before revising it to 7.7. The US Tsunami Warning System issued warnings for multiple countries including Colombia, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Peru. Buildings were damaged in towns including Penonome and Soná, and Panama City's metro and airport were temporarily suspended or closed as a precaution.
31
Divergence score
This event sits in the top 20% of divergence this week. 9 outlets covered it, splitting into 9 framing camps across 4 bias groups.
9 camps
4 bias groups
The spectrum · how 9 outlets placed this story
LeftCenterRight
Al Jazeera
Globe and Mail
Deutsche Welle
BBC
Fox News
CNN
The Guardian
Jerusalem Post
Reuters
Supportive of action
Neutral
Dismissive
Critical
Alarmist
International angle
Widest split · the two outlets furthest apart, and who published first
Furthest apart on this story
Fox News
Massive 7.7 magnitude earthquake strikes Panama as officials investigate potential tsunami threat
Official response and tsunami investigation · neutral
CNN
Powerful earthquake shakes Panama
Verified damage footage and casualties risk · negative
First to report
- CNNfirst
- The Guardian+24.4 h
- Fox News+24.5 h
- Reuters+24.7 h
- Deutsche Welle+24.9 h
- Globe and Mail+25.1 h
- Al Jazeera+25.3 h
- BBC+25.5 h
- Jerusalem Post+27.3 h
By each outlet's earliest publish time in this story. Feeds that index slowly can appear later than they printed.
Headlines that changed · the same article, re-listed with a new headline
Jerusalem Post · 2026-10-09 20:08 UTC
Strong 7.7 magnitude earthquake felt in Panama, Costa Rica, tsunami waves possible, USGS says
Globe and Mail · 2026-10-09 20:08 UTC
Magnitude 7.6 earthquake shakes Panama, prompts evacuations in capital
The split, in one line
Outlets split on exact magnitude (7.6 vs 7.7) and scope of tsunami threat; some highlight Panama Canal normalcy while others focus on building collapses and casualties risk, with CNN and BBC going furthest on damage details.
How each outlet covered it
Broad agreement on what happened
Outlets across the spectrum land in roughly the same place: the shared language is highlighted.
31LOW DIVERGENCE
THE RIGHT
“Massive 7.7 magnitude earthquake strikes Panama as officials investigate potential tsunami threat”FOX Fox News RIGHT
DOWN THE MIDDLE
“Powerful quake shakes Panama, canal operations normal” · Al Jazeera, Globe and Mail, Deutsche Welle, BBC, Jerusalem Post, Reuters
+Hide the full sourcingSee how all 9 outlets put it
LEFT2
CNNCNN Powerful earthquake shakes Panama 1d ago GThe Guardian Powerful 7.6-magnitude earthquake hits Panama and triggers tsunami warnings 2h ago INTERNATIONAL5
AJAl Jazeera Tsunami warnings across Latin America after 7.7 magnitude earthquake hits 1h ago GMGlobe and Mail Magnitude 7.7 earthquake shakes Panama, prompts evacuations in capital 1h ago DWDeutsche Welle Strong earthquake shakes Panama, prompting tsunami alert 1h ago BBCBBC Powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake hits Panama, damaging buildings 51m ago JPJerusalem Post Tsunami alerts lifted after strong 7.7 magnitude earthquake felt in Panama, Costa Rica just now 10 tracked claims across 9 outlets
Fact ledger
All10Claimed6Corroborated4
2/9
Claimed
The USGS initially measured the earthquake at magnitude 8.0 before revising it downward.
Corroborated
Disputed
9 more tracked claimsSign up free to see the full ledger