The 1822 Costa Rica earthquake had an estimated surface-wave magnitude of 7.5–7.6 and struck the nation's Caribbean coast.

In Costa Rica, the Panama Thrust Bent causes the Caribbean Plate to underthrust beneath the Cordillera de Talamanca.

A study of aftershocks following the 1991 shock suggests a near horizontal décollement at 15 km (9.3 mi) depth with steeper splays branching from the base to the surface.

A surface-wave magnitude of 7.5–7.6 and possibly larger was inferred from isoseismal information for the felt area of Modified Mercalli intensity VI (Strong).

[4] Three distinct "shocks" were reported in Matina; deep fissures appeared in the ground and ejected black sand and water.

[8] The earthquake struck Costa Rica during a period of unrest in the country which recently gained independence the year prior.