Estadística de la sismicidad del 2021 en Costa Rica

Abstract

La Red Sismológica Nacional (RSN) localizó 3745 sismos locales durante el año 2021, lo cual es equivalente a la energía sísmica liberada por un evento de magnitud (Mw) 6,9. La sismicidad se localizó principalmente en siete zonas con 50-350 temblores. Hubo 209 sismos (~6% del total) sentidos por la población, incluyendo 31 con Mw entre 5,0 y 6,7. La mayoría de estos sismos fueron superficiales (~88% < 30 km), de magnitud baja (~52% Mw < 3,9) y fueron originados en fallas de las placas Caribe y Panamá (~69%). El sismo mayor del año, de Mw 6,7, se originó en la Zona de Fractura de Panamá, sin generar daños ni víctimas. Todos los sismos de Mw ≥ 5,5 tuvieron sus epicentros mar adentro y alejados de centros de población por lo que no se reportaron intensidades altas.The National Seismological Network (RSN) located 3745 local earthquakes during 2021, which is equivalent to the seismic energy released by an event of magnitude (Mw) 6.9. The seismicity was mainly located in seven zones with 50-350 earthquakes. There were 209 felt events (~6% of the totality), including 31 with Mw between 5.0 and 6.7. Most of these earthquakes were shallow (~88% < 30 km), had a low magnitude (~52% Mw < 3.9), and were originated in faults within the Caribbean and Panama plates (~69%). The largest earthquake of the year of Mw 6.7 originated in the Panama Fracture Zone, without causing damage or casualties. Because all the earthquakes with Mw ≥ 5.5 were centered offshore and far from the population high intensities were not reported.