A 7.9 earthquake has rattled Costa Rica, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), this morning with the epicenter occurring some 5 miles from the Costa Rican coast line and some 95 miles west of the capital city of San Jose.

According to USGS reports the quake struck at 8:42 a.m. local time.

As a result of this massive earthquake most of the Americas are under a tsunami warning.  The following countries have been issued that warning:  Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala and Peru.  Chile is under a tsunami watch. 

Early reports have the earthquake occurring some 10-to-20 miles under the earth’s surface.  The western coastal city of Samara in Costa Rica is the closest inhabited area to the earthquakes epicenter.

There are no immediate reports of damage or injuries.