A powerful 7.6-magnitude earthquake hit Costa Rica on Wednesday, shaking buildings and cutting power in some areas of the capital, though there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said the earthquake struck about 60 kilometers from the town of Liberia and 140 kilometers west of the capital, San Jose. It was centered about 25 kilometers below the surface. Residents of San Jose said electricity poles were rattling along the streets, and water flowed out of swimming pools during the earthquake. In the northwestern coastal town of Nosara, trees shook violently and light posts swayed. The earthquake was felt as far away as Managua, the capital of neighboring Nicaragua. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued an alert for Pacific Ocean coastlines of 11 countries from Mexico to Chile. The center said it was unknown if a tsunami was generated, but the warning was based on the size of the earthquake. The last major earthquake in Costa Rica was of 6.1-magnitude in 2009, killing 40 people, according to the USGS.
