Abstract

Seismicity and focal mechanisms in the of North Panama Deformed Belt (NPDB) indicate a compressional environment associated with the overthrusting of the Panama Block (PB) on the Caribbean plate; crustal PB strike-slip focal mechanisms are observed in the Talamanca and Central Volcanic Cordillera. The hypocenters reach maximum depths between 50-60 km at the foot of the Talamanca mountain range and are shallow near the Caribbean coast. The 1991, Valle de la Estrella earthquake (Mw 7.6) triggered aftershocks in an area of ~140x70 km; landslides and liquefaction were the secondary events that caused most damage and losses in infrastructure (housing, bridges, railroad network, road network and aqueducts); its effects were concentrated in coastal cities, such as Limón and Bocas del Toro. The economic losses in present 2020 value correspond to $3 433 266 937.41.

Keywords: Earthquake; Limon; 1991; Liquefaction; Landslides; Focal Mechanisms; South Caribbean