Abstract
The April 22, 1991 Telire-Limón earthquake (Ms= 7.5) caused considerable damage in Costa Rica and Panamá. Close to were affected by soil liquefaction-related phenomena, which occured extensively in the the Caribbean lowlands of Limón province (Matina, Moín, Banano, Sixaola) in Costa Rica and Bocas del Toro (Changuinola, Almirante) in Panamá.
The areas affected could be classified in three groups: l) Inland alluvial terraces along the rivers, 2) Sand bars and beaches, 3) Litoral sandy strips between the coast line and marshes, estuaries and lagoons.
Road 32, connecting San José and the port of Limón and Road 32 suffered extensive damage by lateral spread; several of their bridges were partially or totally damaged. Fractures, lateral spread and sand boils appeared extensively in the alluvial plains, all along the coast line and around marshes and estuaries.