Magnitude 6.6 Earthquake Near Rio Grande, Panama; Submarine Cables Fully Operational
Earthquake near Rio Grande
On October 9, 2026, at 23:25 local time, an earthquake of magnitude 6.6 occurred 14 kilometers west of the city of Rio Grande, Panama. This event drew significant attention due to its proximity to important nodes of submarine cable infrastructure in the region.
Cables in the Earthquake Zone
Within a radius of 500 km from the earthquake's epicenter are several key submarine cables. Among them:
- Alisios - cable with an exit point in Balboa, Panama, is located 250.1 km from the epicenter.
- Curie (10476 km, commissioned in 2020, operator Google) also passes through Balboa, at a distance of 250.1 km.
- Pacific Caribbean Cable System (PCCS) (6163 km, RFS 2015, operators Liberty Networks and Setar) with an exit point in Balboa, is located at the same distance.
- Carnival Submarine Network-1 (CSN-1) (4670 km, RFS 2026, operator Telconet) passes through Cristobal, Panama, at a distance of 250.3 km.
- South American Crossing (SAC) (20000 km, RFS 2000, operators Cirion Technologies and Sparkle) with an exit point in Colon, Panama, is located 250.7 km away.
- Pan-American Crossing (PAC) (10000 km, RFS 2000, operator Cirion Technologies) passes through Fort Amador, Panama, at a distance of 251.0 km.
- PanAm South (1340 km, RFS 1999, operators CNT and Liberty Networks) with an exit point in Panama City, Panama, is located 253.8 km away.
- ARCOS (8704 km, RFS 2001, operators AT&T and Alestra) passes through Maria Chiquita, Panama, at a distance of 268.6 km.
These cables play an important role in connecting North and South America, as well as ensuring communication between the Caribbean region and the rest of the world.
Meter Readings and Cable Conditions
Our measurements show that all cables in the earthquake zone continue to operate normally. The average RTT (round-trip time) values for key routes remain within normal limits. For example, the Curie cable has a basic RTT of around 63 ms between Panama and Los Angeles, and current data do not indicate any deviations.
These results confirm the resilience of submarine cable infrastructure in the region despite significant seismic loads.
Impact and Possible Risks
The Panamanian region is an important node for global internet traffic, particularly due to its geographical position, connecting North and South America. Earthquakes in this zone may pose a potential threat to submarine cables; however, current data demonstrate their ability to withstand such natural phenomena.
The resilience of cables such as PCCS, SAC, and PAC is crucial for maintaining stable continental connectivity. However, considering the age of some systems, such as PanAm South (commissioned in 1999), it is important to take into account their future modernization needs.
Future Monitoring Plans
We will continue to closely monitor the condition of cables in the earthquake zone, including RTT and other operational parameters. Special attention will be given to cables with exit points in Panama, such as Alisios, Curie, and PCCS, to promptly identify any potential changes in their operation.
Additionally, we will analyze the potential long-term seismic impacts on cables to ensure their stability and minimize risks for global internet infrastructure.
