7.7 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Panama, Tsunami Warnings Issued

A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck southern Panama's Pacific coast on Friday, prompting tsunami alerts for several Central and South American countries. The epicenter was near Pitaloza Arriba, according to the USGS. Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino's office reported over a dozen aftershocks, and schools and administrative offices were suspended. Hazardous tsunami waves are possible along coasts of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Peru, Mexico, Guatemala, Panama, Nicaragua, Colombia, and Ecuador.