The Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Costa Rica (Ovsicori) this Sunday reported more than 130 aftershocks from the powerful earthquake that shook the central area of the country about 40 hours ago.
The latest of the telluric movements occurred at 4:46 p.m. local time with a magnitude of 4.4; at a depth of 10 kilometers and epicenter 1.5 kilometers from Chinchona, in Alajuela.
This earthquake reminds residents of the earthquake that struck this city on January 8, 2009 with a magnitude of 6.2, killing 22 and causing extensive property damage.
The Ovsicori report states that since the magnitude 5 earthquake at 02:24 local time this Saturday until 15:30 local time this Sunday, there have been more than 130 aftershocks between the Barva and Poás volcanoes, all due to local faulting and no reports of human casualties or serious property damage.
Of that number, 80 had magnitudes between 0.7 and 3.5, most of them on the same day as the main tremor and six this Sunday, says Ovsicori, who is with the National University.
He explains that the main feature of the seismicity is that they are in the first 10 kilometers of depth between San José de la Montaña and the Virgen del Socorro de Sarapiquí.
He states that three aftershocks reached magnitudes 3.4, 3.5 and 3.2, which were felt by residents near the epicentral zone.
There are no changes in volcanic activity in the Poás Colossus after the main quake, and this is similar to days before the magnitude five quake, with no eruptions or fear, the Ovsicori points out.
Tellurium movements are common in Costa Rica because they are based on the Coco and Caribe tectonic faults, and the country shows numerous local damages.
(With information from Prensa Latina)