Abstract

The Limón earthquake was one of the biggest disasters ever recorded in Costa Rica and Panama. This event had a magnitude of 7.7 Mw, occurred on April 22 of 1991 and had its epicenter at the coordinates 9.685 N and -83.073 W. This study looks to determine the geomorphological effects resulting from the earthquake. The methodology consisted of a bibliographic review of the technical studies, scientific articles and maps carried out on the seismic event to generate a cartography and analysis that sum- marizes the geomorphological implications in the Caribbean region of Costa Rica and Panama. The geomorphological effects inclu- ded tectonic uplift, liquefaction, landslides, a tsunami, an increased sediment load in the river basins months after the earthquake, and a probable relationship with recent coastal erosion processes. This event was a great lesson for Costa Rica and Panama on its seismic risk, geomorphological dynamics, as well as risk management in a major disaster.

Keywords: Seismic Risk; Geomorphology; Tectonic Uplift; Landslides; Costa Rica; Panama; Central America.