So far this year there have been 7,973 earthquakes in the country, according to the Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Costa Rica (OVSICORI) of the National University (UNA).
In a matter of eight years, this territory moved 82,305 times. Last year had the highest incidence of telluric movements, with a total of 13,443 quakes. According to Floribeth Vega, an expert from OVSICORI, the years with the highest amount of seismicity respond to a high magnitude event that generated a great number of aftershocks.
Over the years, experts from UNA have installed more seismometers and accelerometers that record earthquakes.
In a country with a high rate of seismicity it is important that the population know what to do in case of a major event. Some of the recommendations of the National Emergency Commission are:
• Identify structure: in the emergency plan you must know the most resistant parts of the place where you are, be it home or work, where you could protect yourself while the earthquake lasts.
• Evacuation areas: detect the safe places where you could be safe, outside the structure, so that you can go there as soon as the tremor stops.
• Avoid traps: do not get into places where you can get trapped.
• Carry out erthquake drills so that all family members or co-workers know what to do in each case.
• Keep provisions: have a supply of non-perishable items, so in case of a major emergency that cuts communications, you may subsist.
Data from the National Seismological Network show that, during August 2018, 600 earthquakes were detected, 378 more than in July.