More than 9,500 landslides have been identified across Panama following the magnitude 7.5 earthquake that struck on October 9, while seismic activity continues with over 1,150 aftershocks recorded, according to preliminary data from the University of Panama‘s Geosciences Institute. The landslide disaster Panama now faces has prompted ongoing monitoring of unstable slopes, river basins, and coastal areas nearly three weeks after the main event.
The institute’s latest assessment, updated October 28, documented 9,553 landslides, with 4,822 concentrated in the epicentral zone where the quake destabilized hillsides. Officials cautioned that the count could rise as satellite analysis and field inspections continue across affected regions.
Landslide Disaster Panama Assessment and River Basin Risks
Researchers used Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite imagery to map the extent of terrain displacement. The analysis revealed that landslides have continued occurring after the initial earthquake in areas left vulnerable by the ground movement. Beyond slope instability, specialists warn that displaced material could enter waterways, increasing sediment loads and creating flood threats for downstream communities.
The Geosciences Institute, working alongside the National Civil Protection System (Sinaproc) and local authorities, has prioritized monitoring watersheds with the highest landslide concentrations. Roads, zones showing liquefaction, and sectors where terrain shifts laterally along river channels remain under close observation. The coastal strip of the Azuero Peninsula is also being evaluated for geological effects from the earthquake.
Aftershock Activity and Seismic Monitoring
Seismic monitoring has recorded 1,154 localized aftershocks since the main earthquake, with 426 reaching magnitude 4 or higher. The strongest recent aftershock, magnitude 5.6, struck the western peninsula at 10:26 a.m. on October 27, marking the most powerful tremor since October 12. In the 24 hours preceding the October 28 report, specialists located 30 aftershocks, three of which measured magnitude 4 or greater.
The total count of seismic events will continue growing as researchers process pending data. The original earthquake occurred at 12:56 p.m. on October 9 at shallow depth, associated with the Azuero-Soná fault system. Investigators are using radar imagery to measure ground displacement before and after the quake to identify the fault rupture pattern.
Panamá registra 1,154 réplicas y más de 9 mil deslizamientos tras el terremoto de 7.5 https://t.co/bqPnl6K0Ly
— ECOtvPanamá (@EcoPanamaTV) October 29, 2026
Damage Reports and Community Impact
By October 26, Sinaproc had evaluated 13,681 homes and documented damage at 619 educational centers across affected areas. The assessment figures highlight the extensive structural impact on communities, particularly in the epicentral region of the Azuero Peninsula.
The Geosciences Institute emphasized that all findings remain preliminary. Satellite analysis continues, and each detection requires ground verification. Monitoring teams remain deployed to identify terrain changes that could pose additional risks to residents in the affected zones. The coordinated effort between scientific institutions and emergency response agencies aims to provide early warnings for communities vulnerable to secondary hazards from the earthquake.