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Early Takeaways from the 2026 Panama Earthquake for Concrete Buildings
October 23, 2026
2 Min Read
Azuero Peninsula, Panama.
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck the Azuero Peninsula of Panama on 9 October 2026. The shallow earthquake produced severe shaking in portions of central Panama and was followed by numerous strong aftershocks, including two with magnitudes over 6. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) estimates that approximately 200,000 people experienced very strong (MMI VII) shaking and about 7,000 experienced severe (MMI VIII) shaking. No strong-motion records from sensors in Panama have been identified yet.
Taking Stock of What Happened
Damage was reported to hundreds of homes, schools, hospitals, and other structures. Available reports indicate that much of the significant building damage occurred in older masonry and informal construction. Although reinforced concrete buildings were exposed to strong shaking, reports available to date have not identified widespread or characteristic damage to non-ductile concrete buildings.
Panama City, which contains a large concentration of major reinforced concrete buildings, was more than 100 km from the epicentral area and experienced substantially less intense shaking. Thus, much of Panama’s inventory of larger reinforced concrete buildings was not subjected to the strongest shaking.
Panama City, Panama.
Understanding Panama’s Building Requirements
Panama’s seismic code history makes it difficult to assign a single construction date that separates ductile from non-ductile concrete buildings. Seismic provisions were first developed in 1976, and Panama’s first structural regulation that had the force of law, REP-84, became effective in 1985. The regulations were subsequently revised in 1994, 2004, 2014, and 2021, with seismic design and detailing requirements evolving through these successive editions. Thus, unlike in parts of the United States where adoption of modern ductile detailing provisions provides a relatively distinct dividing line, the age of a Panamanian building alone may not reliably indicate whether it incorporates modern seismic detailing.
Consequently, this earthquake has thus far provided relatively limited information on the performance of non-ductile concrete buildings. More detailed engineering reconnaissance—particularly information identifying the age, structural system, and detailing of damaged reinforced concrete buildings—could provide additional insight into their performance. We will update this summary as additional information becomes available, similar to our analysis following recent earthquakes in Colombia and Venezuela.