Costa Rica Earthquake: Magnitude 6.0 Temblor Shakes Country's Capital

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica -- A magnitude-6 earthquake shook the capital city of Costa Rica on Friday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The quake was felt strongly in San Jose but there were no immediate reports damage or injuries, said Juan de Dios Castillo, spokesman for Seismological and Volcanic Institute. He said there were reports of fallen objects but none of major damages to buildings.

The quake's epicenter was 17 miles (28 kilometers) northwest of San Jose, according to the geological survey. Castillo said it hit near Santiago de Puriscal, a province west of the capital. It struck about 4:48 p.m. local time (22:48 GMT) with a depth of about 44 miles (70 kilometers).

On Jan. 8, 2009, a 6.1 quake in central Costa Rica killed at least 20 people. A 5.9-magnitude quake shook the country in October 2010.

Comments

[CostaRicaCLOSEUP]

11:07 AM on 05/17/2011

Interesting occurrences these days in Costa Rica as these larger tremors appear to be more closely spaced, while it's being reported that volcanic activity appears to be reduced in the Arenal region. Definitely trends that may be interrelated and to be watched closely in the coming months.

Cheers, Tee

Tee is the founder and senior editor of Costa Rica Travel Magazine www.CostaRicaCLOSEUP.com and Video Magazine www.CostaRicaCloseup.TV guides to Costa Rica

[TedEjr]

08:37 AM on 05/16/2011

Wasn't Rush supposed to move there after Obama won the Presidency? Maybe he rolled over in his sleep?

[blasterofparis]

10:46 PM on 05/15/2011

Thank God no one was hurt, but no mention of whether or not any dinosaurs escaped? wtf?

[LogicalMathMan]

09:20 PM on 05/15/2011

I would like to preface my comment with an apology to all Costa Ricans, but, from the headline, I thought you let Rush into your beautiful country.

[ashabot]

10:56 AM on 05/15/2011

We're in San Jose at the moment. The quake was pretty horrifying but a good reminder of how vulnerable we actually are at every moment. I felt like a bug hiding on a leaf.

[LabRat]

10:17 PM on 05/14/2011

I thought shaky season was over, hasn't rainy season started yet?

I am glad everyone is ok. I loved San Jose when I lived there.

[whitemerlot]

10:11 PM on 05/14/2011

Uh-oh, that's getting closer to home.... ( I live in LA)

[americancolonyinhell]

09:52 PM on 05/14/2011

I happen to live in Costa Rica, and what with all the shaking, my pet toucan's beak fell off.

[epicurean0]

07:59 PM on 05/14/2011

I hope my friends in Central America are doing okay.

Some homes in that region woldnt survive a washing machine out of balance.

[Lady In Silhouette]

06:38 PM on 05/14/2011

Mother Earth sure has been shakin' and quakin' this year. Think she's trying to tell us something?

[esseff44]

01:22 AM on 05/15/2011

Yes, the same thing she's be telling us since solid ground rose up from the primordial soup.

[NotStarvingArtist]

11:05 PM on 05/15/2011

Yes, she's trying to shake us pesky humans off like a dog shaking off fleas. (Credit to George Carlin for that idea).

[Ed Baggett]

05:01 PM on 05/14/2011

Given the number of earth quakes, rain storms, dry spells, tornados, & floods... I wouldn't be surprised that the country might split in half soon...that's all we need !

[NotStarvingArtist]

11:06 PM on 05/15/2011

Hasn't it already split in half along idealogical fault lines?

[mikeemo1]

04:31 PM on 05/14/2011

sad to here abought the quake but i would bet there goes another billion or two in aide that the U.S. dosent have to offer

[Palma Taliaferro]

04:43 PM on 05/14/2011

truly compassionate person .‿↗

[Avoidant]

06:14 PM on 05/14/2011

He's being realistic.

[mikeemo1]

02:06 PM on 05/15/2011

actuly i am a very compassionate person but every country we help hate the US and the US is how many trillions in debt fact is we dont have the money to give and why give it when we will be hated any way why not help the people in our own country first

[panapal]

06:09 PM on 05/14/2011

For anyone whos been to CR its well known that they dont want us to give them help. They arent happy inless they can steal what they want. Dont let the smiles fool you. They hate us!

[mikeemo1]

01:59 PM on 05/15/2011

yes you are right the US gives aide and the countrys we give aide to hate the US so why not keep the funds in the US and let them hate us any way

[Jayyhawker]

02:50 PM on 05/14/2011

We are living in the last days .

[wwoody]

03:25 PM on 05/14/2011

Everyday that you're able to get up, is a good day.

[madame48]

08:09 PM on 05/14/2011

yup, at my age I say the only thing worse than getting old is NOT getting old !!

[Palma Taliaferro]

04:34 PM on 05/14/2011

"we"?

[rccthatsme]

01:47 PM on 05/14/2011

Message from Santa Ana (near the Red Cross) and Cartago, is all is fine.

[MelRoy]

04:23 PM on 05/14/2011

I'm really glad to hear that!

[SuperDaveOsborn]

01:31 PM on 05/14/2011

It's coming !