Date May 2, 1621 Total damage Moderate | Magnitude 6.9 ML Max. intensity VII (Very strong) | |
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The 1621 Panama earthquake, also known as the Panamá Viejo earthquake occurred between 16:30 and 16:45 (UTC−5) on 2 May. It is considered to be the first documented violent quake in the Isthmus of Panama, with the epicenter at Pedro Miguel fault, with a Richter magnitude of about 6.9 and a maximum Mercalli intensity of VII (Very strong). The quake shook and partially destroyed the ancient city of Panama (Panama la Vieja), which at that time was a town of about 5,000 inhabitants. It left extensive damage, especially with buildings made of masonry which were partially or fully destroyed.
Among the buildings that suffered total collapse were the council, municipal, barracks and prison buildings, and the house of the judge of the Audiencia of Panama. The Convento de la Concepción and the Church of the Society of Jesus also suffered considerable damage, but were only partially rebuilt. The earthquake was preceded by a minor earthquake, which occurred between 9 and 10 am, and a small tsunami was reported by a witness, which flooded a street bordering the coast of Panama city.