North Pacific Ocean: No damage reported following 6.7-magnitude earthquake west of Nicaragua April 21 /update 1

Event

No casualties or damages have been reported following an earthquake that occurred in the North Pacific Ocean, west of Nicaragua, at 01:42 CST April 21. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has updated the information on the tremor and downgraded its magnitude from 6.8 to 6.7. The epicenter was about 58 km (36 miles) west-southwest of Masachapa, Nicaragua. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 58 km (36 miles), and strong shaking was reported on Nicaragua's Pacific coast, including in Managua, the capital. Moderate shaking was probably felt in El Salvador and Costa Rica, while light shaking may have been felt in southern Honduras. Several light aftershocks occurred in the hours immediately following the initial tremblor.

It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Light to moderate aftershocks are likely over the coming days. Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.