A magnitude 6.5 earthquake shook the Central Valley of Costa Rica late on Sunday, Nov. 12, causing minor damage in the lightly populated Puntarenas region of the Pacific Coast, according to catastrophe modeling firm AIR Worldwide.

The event occurred at a depth of about 12 miles according to the United States Geological Survey, and was followed by at least two aftershocks.

Costa Rica is at significant risk of exposure to earthquakes due to the country's subduction and volcanic environment. According to AIR, In Costa Rica, the primary construction type for residential buildings is masonry. The choice of masonry is chiefly influenced by wind design considerations, rather than by seismic considerations.

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