Sismicidad Histórica de Costa Rica 1638-1910

Abstract

An historical earthquake catalogue of Costa Rica covering the period 1638-1910, was done using compilations based on diverse bibliographical sources and direct consultaliuns uf the National Archives. The earthquake historical documentation is incomplete going back tu the colonial time. During lhe first century of the Spanish colunization (XVI century) there is no referenee to earthquakes in Costa Rica. In the historial seismicity there are examples of earthquake activity from two principal seismic sources; subduction earthquakes and shallow intraplate earthquakes originating in the mountainous terrains of the country. During the period 1638-1910, the earthquake of May 7, 1822 (M = 7.5) was the most destructive event relaled to lhe former seismic source. The earthquake of September 2, 1841 (6.0<M <6.9) was the most damaging event related lo the latter seismic source. Intermcdiatc depth earthquakes associated wilh lhe Benioff zone (between 70-200 km depth) and from the Panama fracture zone, the two other important seismic sources thal afected the country, could not be identified in the scarse macroseismic recopilations summarized in the historical catalogue.