Recent earthquakes in Costa Rica
Costa Rica sits above the subduction zone where the Cocos Plate dives beneath the Caribbean Plate along the Middle America Trench, driving frequent earthquakes and a line of active volcanoes. The Nicoya Peninsula lies directly over a locked section of this megathrust. The 2012 Nicoya earthquake (M7.6) released strain that scientists had long anticipated there. In the past 24 hours, Costa Rica has recorded no earthquakes above the reporting threshold.
Counts include M2.5+ events — the smallest size USGS reports consistently worldwide.
Recent earthquakes
| Magnitude | Time (UTC) | Depth | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| M4.6 | Jul 26, 09:26 UTC | 35 km | 68 km SSW of Masachapa, Nicaragua |
Notable recent activity
An M4.6 earthquake struck 68 km SSW of Masachapa, Nicaragua at 09:26 UTC on Jul 26 at a depth of 35 km.
Frequently asked questions
Does Costa Rica get many earthquakes?
Yes. Costa Rica experiences frequent earthquakes because the Cocos Plate subducts beneath it off the Pacific coast. Most are small, but magnitude 6 and 7 events occur periodically, particularly along the Nicoya Peninsula.
Why does Costa Rica have earthquakes and volcanoes?
The subduction of the Cocos Plate beneath the Caribbean Plate both generates earthquakes along the offshore megathrust and feeds magma to the volcanoes of the Central American arc that runs through the country.
What was the biggest earthquake in Costa Rica?
The September 5, 2012 Nicoya earthquake, magnitude 7.6, was among the largest recent events and had been anticipated as the Nicoya seismic gap. The 1991 Limón earthquake (M7.6) on the Caribbean coast was another major event.
Nearby regions
Live data from the USGS earthquake feeds. Magnitudes and depths are automated readings and may be revised. Not for emergency use.