Update 18:56 UTC : It was felt strongly, however damage and injuries have not yet been registered. Falling objects as stated before have occurred on the coast. If any people have registered damage, please let us know. The aftershocks have not caused major damage as yet.

Update 16:44 UTC :  10 aftershocks have been reported by Ovsicori since the mainshock 5 hours ago.  All these aftershocks were below M 4, making them harmless for houses and people.

Shaking map as calculated by USGS

Update 16:03 UTC :  Until now we have found no signs of damage or injuries(but still too soon to be certain). A lot of people are reporting however “fallen objects” in various parts of the country.

Update 15:53 UTC :  USGS has decreased the magnitude after recalculation to Mw 5.8. The depth has been updated to 27.9 km.

Update 15:51 UTC :  A video report from Telenoticias7, one of the main networks with a very good earthquake report. Those among you who do not understand Spanish, have to go directly to 06:30 minutes. The video shows the shaking in the television studios. The shaking confirms the many I Have Felt It reports that we have received from all over Costa Rica. Telenoticias7 is also mentioning (like one of our readers below) that the country has felt various small quakes since Saturday.  Saturday’s earthquake measured M 4.5.  On Sunday 3 smaller aftershocks were noticed. Today’s earthquake occurred in the same area than the 4 other ones and can be called a stronger aftershock than the mainshock.

Update 15:32 UTC :  OVISCORI, the local Costa Rican seismological agency, has reported a magnitude of 5.9. The depth of the hypocenter was located at 14 km. Epicenter in the Pacific Ocean at 34 km to the South West of Estero Garita. Oviscori also reported a max. intensity of VI MMI (strong shaking), a little less than USGS initially reported.

Update 12:12 UTC :  From James Daniells CATDAT database : The area had over 40 damaging earthquakes historically in the last 100 years within 100km, the 1910 earthquakes caused over 1000 fatalities. Based on previous losses there will probably be no fatalities, but minor damage should be expected.

Update 12:09 UTC :  As could have been expected if earthquakes like this occur, the shaking has also been felt in many neighboring countries.

Update 11:44 UTC :  The locations that may experience a moderate shaking are : Quepos, Parrita, San Isidro, Daniel Flores, Mercedes

Update 11:40 UTC : Following the initial calculations of USGS, the earthquake will have been felt by 785 people as a very strong shaking, 149,000 people will have felt a moderate shaking and 4,094,000 people will have been shaken slightly.

Update : We expect NO tsunami danger from this earthquake. the specialized agencies have not created alert messages.

Update : This earthquake occurred in the highly populated region of Puntarenas in Costa Rica, also visited by many tourists.

Update :  The nearest populated places are: Dominical (16km), Guapil (14km), Bar? (18km), Hatillo (12km), Laguna (16km), Salitral (15km), Palma Quemada (11km), Platanillo (11km), Matapalo (10km), Tierras Morenas (18km), Dos Bocas (15km), Dos Boscas (15km), Portal?n (12km), Paso (12km), Pasito (13km), Savegre (13km), Llorona (19km), Guabos (17km), Finca Negro (19km), S?balo (19km). The closest civilian airport is Nuevo Palmar Sur (67km).

Update : the epicenter is located at only a few km from the coast

The depth of this earthquake is shallow enough to create serious problems in the epicenter area.

from:    http://earthquake-report.com/2012/02/13/very-strong-and-dangerous-earthquake-in-costa-rica/