Shauna Sigren

November 12th, 2017

On Sunday night, November 12th, 2017 an earthquake struck the pacific coast of Costa Rica.  According to the scale rictor, the earthquake had a  6.5 magnitude reading in Jaco, Puntarenas, and was at a depth of about 12 miles. The  quake struck near Costa Rica’s capital city, San Jose on Sunday night, but there were no initial reports of injuries or significant damage to infrastructure. Within the past 7 days there have been 4 earthquakes in the area.

Costa Rican officials surveyed damage Wednesday, after a major earthquake rattled the country’s northwest coast. The president praised how residents’ reacted and was grateful they knew what to do to stay safe. He commented that there were no reports of major physical damage from the earthquake. The Public Safety Ministry gave reports of two serious injuries as a result of the quake, but did not provide details. The electricity was knocked out in many areas due to  power lines and poles knocked down. There was no major infrastructure damage in any areas on the Pacific Coast. The government reported  rockslides that obstructed many highways near the epicenter.

The earthquake was terrifying for many people, The only reported death was of someone late Wednesday that emergency officials said had died from a heart attack suffered during the earthquake. The shock from the quake brought anxiety to many citizens, but luckily only one was killed from an anxiety induced situation. “It started out pretty mild, but then it really got going,” said Bill Root. “It was a very strong earthquake. Everything was falling off the shelves and the Red Cross ambulances evacuated patients from two damaged hospitals,” said Enrique Guevara, a spokesman for the Red Cross in the Americas.

This quake was not a surprise to everyone. Seismologists have predicted a strong quake in that area for years. The Costa Rican citizens were wondering if this was “the big one”. “We’re very scared. It’s been years since we felt such a strong one,” said Otto Vargas, who was home when the shaking began. President Laura Chinchilla reported the quake was, “one of the strongest earthquakes ever to hit the Central American nation.” Knowing that there could be many more quakes to come is unsettling to citizens. They are left in fear with the thought of  dealing with another quake at any moment.”It’s unnerving when solid concrete beneath you is shaking from side to side. It was pretty scary,” said David Boddiger. The citizens of Costa Rica will hopefully be reached out too by other caring people who can help. With time and help from others, surely these citizens can rebuild and repair their lives without having to worry when the next earthquake could strike.