Q COSTARICA — Almost exactly 24 hours after Tuesday’s 6.1 earthquake, a new tremor hit Costa Rica’s South Pacific on Wednesday night, striking near Bahía Ballena, in the Osa region, in the South Pacific.
The quake happened at 9:43 p.m. on October 22, registering a magnitude of 4.8. Its epicenter was about 9 kilometers south of Bahía Ballena, according to the National Seismological Network of the University of Costa Rica (RSN).
Initially, the quake was reported as a 5.3 magnitude, but later analysis revised it down to 4.8.
Experts from RSN say this earthquake isn’t an aftershock of Tuesday’s 6.1 tremor near Quepos in the Central Pacific. Instead, both quakes are tied to different stages of the subduction process—the main tectonic activity along Costa Rica’s Pacific coast.
Since Tuesday’s big quake, seismometers have picked up over 115 aftershocks, which scientists say is expected after a major seismic event.
The RSN is keeping a close watch on seismic activity and will update the public on any significant developments.
Costa Rica is a seismically active area with significant earthquakes occurring every few years. Earthquakes with a magnitude of 7 or more typically happen about every 15 years, while those with a magnitude of 6 or more occur roughly every 8 years on average.
On average, about 1,200 tremors shake and roll Costa Rica each month.
Click here for Costa Rica’s recent seismic activity
These recent quakes fall within the expected seismic activity for the region but are still notable for their strength and impact on local communities