Costa Rica
Costa Rica: earthquakes and wildfires
Latest earthquakes and active wildfires in Costa Rica on a live map, the strongest earthquakes and largest fires on record, and statistics by year.
Live map – Costa Rica
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Latest eventM 2.910.0 km depth · 2 h ago74 km NW of Puerto Limón, Costa Rica
Low
Moderate
High
Very high
Extreme
Very extreme
Forecast: Copernicus EFFIS (FWI index)
Very light rain (0.1–1 mm)
Light rain (1–5 mm)
Moderate rain (5–10 mm)
Heavy rain (10–25 mm)
Very heavy rain (25–50 mm)
Extreme rain (≥ 50 mm)
Forecast: ECMWF via Copernicus EMS – GWIS
Calm (< 7 km/h, 0–1 Bf)
Light breeze (7–18 km/h, 2–3 Bf)
Moderate breeze (18–36 km/h, 4–5 Bf)
Strong breeze (36–54 km/h, 5–7 Bf)
Gale (54–72 km/h, 7–8 Bf)
Storm (≥ 72 km/h, 9+ Bf)
Forecast: ECMWF via Copernicus EMS – GWIS
Very low lightning
Low lightning
Moderate lightning
High lightning
Very high lightning
Extreme lightning
Forecast: ECMWF via Copernicus EMS – GWIS
Earthquakes
Wildfires
Floods
Storms
Volcanoes
Tsunamis
Key statistics (30 days)
Earthquakes M2.5+ and the wildfire fronts shown on the map.
Fire danger
Today
Low
Tomorrow
Low
Day after
Low
Forecast for the area around: San Jose. Danger can vary locally; follow official guidance. Source: Copernicus EMS – EFFIS (FWI).
Severe weather (forecast)
- Today: Rain – Very heavy rain (25–50 mm) · Alajuela
- Tomorrow: Rain – Very heavy rain (25–50 mm) · Alajuela
Forecast for the area around: Costa Rica. It does not replace warnings from the national weather service. Source: ECMWF / Copernicus EMS.
Recent events in Costa Rica
- 2.92 h agoM2.9 earthquake near Puerto Limón, Costa Rica – now74 km NW of Puerto Limón, Costa Rica
- 2.63 h agoM2.6 earthquake near Jaco, Costa Rica – now9 km WSW of Jaco, Costa Rica
- 3.27 h agoM3.2 earthquake near Puerto Cortes, Costa Rica42 km S of Puerto Cortes, Costa Rica
- 4.213 h agoM4.2 earthquake near Corredor, Costa Rica9 km WSW of Corredor, Costa Rica
- 3.727 h agoM3.7 earthquake near La Cruz, Costa Rica16 km N of La Cruz, Costa Rica
- 2.828 h agoM2.8 earthquake near Tamarindo, Costa Rica14 km SE of Tamarindo, Costa Rica
Historical overview
Earthquakes M3.0+ and significant events of other hazards.
About Costa Rica
Costa Rica has recorded 1,626 earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or more since 1976. The strongest was M7.6 in 2012.
Satellites have detected 8 significant wildfires here; the largest burned about 27 km².
Know the official emergency number, prepare an emergency kit and follow the instructions of your civil protection authority.
Learn more ›Earthquakes
Earthquakes today: Costa Rica →
1,626 earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or more since 1976. The strongest was M7.6.
Recent earthquakes
| Mag | Location | Time (UTC) | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.9 | 74 km NW of Puerto Limón, Costa Rica | 10.0 km | |
| 2.6 | 9 km WSW of Jaco, Costa Rica | 18.0 km | |
| 3.2 | 42 km S of Puerto Cortes, Costa Rica | 19.0 km | |
| 4.2 | 9 km WSW of Corredor, Costa Rica | 9.6 km | |
| 3.7 | 16 km N of La Cruz, Costa Rica | 165.0 km | |
| 2.8 | 14 km SE of Tamarindo, Costa Rica | 10.0 km | |
| 3.1 | 13 km W of Puntarenas, Costa Rica | 10.0 km | |
| 2.6 | 89 km SSW of Quepos, Costa Rica | 1.0 km | |
| 2.9 | 26 km SSE of San Jose, Costa Rica | 7.0 km | |
| 2.8 | 28 km NW of San Jose, Costa Rica | 98.0 km |
Show all (56)
Strongest earthquakes on record
| Mag | Location | Time (UTC) | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7.6 | 45 km SSW of Canas, Costa Rica | 35.0 km | |
| 7.6 | 34 km S of Puerto Limón, Costa Rica | 10.0 km | |
| 7.5 | 8 km NNE of Golfito, Costa Rica | 30.0 km | |
| 7.3 | 9 km SSE of Chacarita, Costa Rica | 20.0 km | |
| 7.0 | 29 km SSW of Canas, Costa Rica | 56.0 km | |
| 6.9 | 99 km S of San Jose, Costa Rica | 20.0 km | |
| 6.6 | 40 km NW of San Jose, Costa Rica | 78.9 km | |
| 6.5 | 63 km SSW of Alajuela, Costa Rica | 19.0 km | |
| 6.5 | 44 km SSW of Canas, Costa Rica | 17.0 km | |
| 6.4 | 38 km SSW of San Jose, Costa Rica | 16.0 km | |
| 6.4 | 73 km SSW of San Isidro, Costa Rica | 35.0 km | |
| 6.4 | 82 km SW of Puntarenas, Costa Rica | 33.0 km | |
| 6.4 | 9 km SSE of Puerto Cortes, Costa Rica | 22.7 km | |
| 6.4 | 18 km S of Puntarenas, Costa Rica | 26.6 km | |
| 6.4 | near Puerto Cortes, Costa Rica | 40.0 km |
Earthquakes per year (M3.0+)
Year
| 2026 | 43 | M5.7 |
| 2025 | 37 | M5.9 |
| 2024 | 34 | M6.2 |
| 2023 | 35 | M5.5 |
| 2022 | 37 | M5.1 |
| 2021 | 29 | M5.7 |
| 2020 | 31 | M6.0 |
| 2019 | 35 | M5.1 |
| 2018 | 60 | M6.1 |
| 2017 | 35 | M6.5 |
| 2016 | 34 | M5.3 |
| 2015 | 40 | M5.2 |
| 2014 | 43 | M5.2 |
| 2013 | 47 | M5.9 |
| 2012 | 69 | M7.6 |
| 2011 | 24 | M5.9 |
| 2010 | 26 | M6.0 |
| 2009 | 31 | M6.1 |
| 2008 | 34 | M5.3 |
| 2007 | 30 | M5.0 |
| 2006 | 25 | M5.0 |
| 2005 | 44 | M5.3 |
| 2004 | 42 | M6.4 |
| 2003 | 35 | M5.3 |
| 2002 | 43 | M6.4 |
| 2001 | 41 | M5.4 |
| 2000 | 80 | M6.4 |
| 1999 | 55 | M6.9 |
| 1998 | 31 | M5.4 |
| 1997 | 35 | M5.3 |
| 1996 | 23 | M6.2 |
| 1995 | 22 | M5.1 |
| 1994 | 13 | M5.8 |
| 1993 | 24 | M5.8 |
| 1992 | 30 | M6.6 |
| 1991 | 46 | M7.6 |
| 1990 | 28 | M7.3 |
| 1989 | 19 | M5.4 |
| 1988 | 48 | M6.0 |
| 1987 | 51 | M6.2 |
| 1986 | 12 | M4.9 |
| 1985 | 10 | M5.5 |
| 1984 | 7 | M5.0 |
| 1983 | 34 | M7.5 |
| 1982 | 10 | M5.5 |
| 1981 | 10 | M5.1 |
| 1980 | 9 | M4.9 |
| 1979 | 10 | M6.4 |
| 1978 | 14 | M7.0 |
| 1977 | 9 | M4.9 |
| 1976 | 12 | M5.5 |
Wildfires
8 major fires since 2025. The largest covered about 27 km².
Recent fires
| Area | Location | Since | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7.5 km² | 27 km SSW of Canas, Costa Rica | Active | |
| 12 km² | 26 km NW of San José, Costa Rica | Active | |
| 6.6 km² | 18 km NW of San José, Costa Rica | Inactive | |
| 3.3 km² | 32 km WNW of San José, Costa Rica | Inactive | |
| 23 km² | 23 km SW of Canas, Costa Rica | Inactive | |
| 13 km² | 47 km NW of Liberia, Costa Rica | Inactive | |
| 11 km² | 45 km NW of Liberia, Costa Rica | Inactive | |
| 11 km² | 20 km SE of Liberia, Costa Rica | Inactive | |
| 11 km² | 10 km ENE of Tamarindo, Costa Rica | Inactive | |
| 12 km² | 38 km WSW of Liberia, Costa Rica | Inactive |
Show all (11)
| Area | Location | Since | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27 km² | 36 km SW of Liberia, Costa Rica | Inactive |
Largest fires on record
| Area | Location | Since | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27 km² | 36 km SW of Liberia, Costa Rica | Inactive | |
| 23 km² | 23 km SW of Canas, Costa Rica | Inactive | |
| 13 km² | 47 km NW of Liberia, Costa Rica | Inactive | |
| 12 km² | 38 km WSW of Liberia, Costa Rica | Inactive | |
| 12 km² | 26 km NW of San José, Costa Rica | Active | |
| 11 km² | 20 km SE of Liberia, Costa Rica | Inactive | |
| 11 km² | 45 km NW of Liberia, Costa Rica | Inactive | |
| 11 km² | 10 km ENE of Tamarindo, Costa Rica | Inactive |
Major fires per year
Year
| 2026 | 7 | 27 km² |
| 2025 | 1 | 12 km² |
Regions
Places
- San Jose
- Puerto Limón
- San Francisco
- Alajuela
- Liberia
- Paraiso
- Puntarenas
- San Isidro
- Curridabat
- San Vicente
- San Vicente de Moravia
- San José
- Purral
- Turrialba
- San Miguel
- San Pedro
- San Rafael Abajo
- Quesada
- Ipis
- Cartago
- Chacarita
- San Juan
- Mercedes Norte
- Guadalupe
- Aserri
- San Rafael
- San Felipe
- Patarra
- Tejar
- Heredia
- San Pablo
- Calle Blancos
- Canas