Earthquake in Nicoya released only 40% of accumulated energy

NICOYA, COSTA RICA – September 13th, 2012 – Experts are saying that the 7.6 magnitude earthquake that occurred in Nicoya on September 5th at 8:42 a.m was likely the earthquake that had been previously expected.

However, the event only released 40% of the energy that has been accruing there for the past eight years.

The news comes according to OVSICORI (Costa Rican Vulcanology and Seismology Observatory ), after carefully analyzing information from 10 geodynamic control stations.

Marino Protti, who has been studying the situation in Nicoya for the past 2 decades, stated that the earthquake occurred in a seismic gap, in which no big movements have been registered since the 7.3 grade earthquake on October, 1950.

The fact that only 40% of the energy that has been accruing there for the past eight years was released during the September 5th earthquake means that the seismic cycle after the main event is not yet finished, as there is more potential in the seismic gap of Nicoya.

The remaining energy can manifest itself in different ways: aftershocks, imperceptible seismic activity, or an earthquake with similar or higher magnitude then the one felt on September 5th.

However, it is impossible to say when any of these events will occur.

As a mater of fact, OVSICORI has registered a total of 1,850 aftershocks since the earthquake occurred. “If this goes on for the next 150- 200 days, it may represent the equivalent (energy release) to the earthquake that occurred on September 5th,” said Protti.