Let’s begin with the science of geology, which investigates the origins of an earthquake. In this specific case, the United States Geological Survey determined that it was caused by a lateral displacement of tectonic plates. Panama is in a very complex position; in fact, it sits on its own tectonic microplate, which is surrounded by a complicated intersection of other plates: the Cocos and Nazca plates to the south and west, and the Caribbean and South American plates to the north and east.
It is one piece of a very complex puzzle. Earthquakes of this nature often cause a shifting of the plates—and the surface itself—which means that certain locations in Panama may have shifted several centimeters from their previous positions as a result of this event. I cannot confirm this yet—I don’t have the data—but such earthquakes are known to cause this kind of movement. We will need satellite imagery to verify it, much like NASA did following the dual earthquake in Venezuela, where they were able to confirm a slight displacement in specific areas of the country and across the tectonic plate as a whole.
If you are wondering whether this has been a year with an unusually high number of earthquakes, the answer is no. However, they have occurred in populated areas, which is why they have drawn so much attention—there have been casualties in Venezuela, Colombia, the Philippines, Japan, and elsewhere. As of today, 12 earthquakes with a magnitude of 7 or greater have been recorded so far this year, whereas the annual average is 14 to 15. The current pace is slightly below that average; while that might sound like a good thing, it is less reassuring when you consider that it implies there are still three or four more magnitude 7+ earthquakes expected just to reach the annual average.
Even if this year turns out to be "good" and we see no further earthquakes, there will inevitably be other years with a higher frequency to balance out the average—that is simply how statistics work. We cannot prevent earthquakes from happening; we can only hope that they occur in unpopulated areas and at great depths. This would be ideal, especially given the recent string of seismic events in populated regions. We may never be able to master the elements, but we can certainly remain vigilant and implement the necessary measures to prevent damage—though this requires further research. We need to learn more about how our planet functions; perhaps, by truly understanding our own world, we might one day be able to transform other, dead worlds—and bring them to life. What are your thoughts on these matters?
