Earthquake in Colombia via the Geological Service
The SGC has a total of 339 seismic stations, located throughout the Colombian territory and in specific areas such as active volcanoes. 206 seismic stations are located covering the entire territory corresponding to the National Seismic Network and 133 seismic stations installed on the active Colombian volcanoes that are permanently monitored in three volcanological and seismological observatories.
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Find out here about the earthquakes that occurred in Colombian territory, reported by the Geological Service. Here we tell you which were the latest.
Why does the Earth shake?
Because tectonic plates move and accumulate energy. When this energy is suddenly released, an earthquake occurs.
How to prepare before an earthquake?
Conduct drills, have your emergency backpack ready, and plan an evacuation route with your family. Prevention saves lives.
What to do if I am on the street when an earthquake starts?
Look for an open place away from poles, trees, or buildings. Beware of electrical wires. If you are driving, stop cautiously in a safe place.
How to know if an earthquake is strong?
There are two ways:
– Magnitude, measured on the Richter scale, indicates the energy released.
– Intensity, measured on the Mercalli scale, measures the impact on people and structures.
What should my emergency backpack have?
It should contain the essentials to survive the first hours after an earthquake:
– Hygiene items
– First aid kit with bandages, alcohol, gauze, pills, among others
– Warm clothing
– Non-perishable food such as tuna, energy bars, chocolates, and nuts, as well as cash
– Radio or flashlight with batteries
– Specific items according to needs, such as products for babies, elderly adults, or pets
How is a tremor different from an earthquake?
Both are movements of the Earth, but we usually call “earthquake” those of greater magnitude and destructive impact, while “tremor” is used for milder quakes.
Why are several magnitudes reported for the same earthquake?
Because the first information comes from nearby stations and is adjusted as more data arrives from different sensors. Science continues calculating after the first notice.
How do we know it will shake?
Earthquakes cannot be predicted, but seismographs and accelerographs detect ground movements in real time to alert us as quickly as possible.
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- WHAT IS THE PACIFIC RING OF FIRE?
- The Pacific Ring of Fire is a geologically active region surrounding the Pacific Ocean and the continents that border its waters. It is characterized by a high frequency of earthquakes and volcanic activity. It extends approximately 40,000 kilometers, including subduction zones where tectonic plates collide (such as the Nazca plate), generating frequent volcanoes and earthquakes.
- WHAT IS A SEISMIC SWARM?
- A seismic swarm is a group of earthquakes that occur in the same area over a short period of time. Unlike a single strong earthquake, seismic swarms usually consist of numerous minor tremors. Often, there is no main earthquake triggering the swarm, but seismic events occur more or less continuously and are related to tectonic processes.
- HOW TO ACT DURING AN EARTHQUAKE?
- • Go to the already established safety zones.
- • Stay away from glass or objects that could fall.
- • If possible, avoid panic and try to stay calm.
- • Do not run in vehicle passage areas.
- • If you are driving, stop your vehicle.
- • If you are in a building, do not use the elevator, always use the stairs.
- • Be attentive to minors, disabled people, and the elderly.
- HOW IS A TREMOR DIFFERENT FROM AN EARTHQUAKE?
- The terms “tremor” and “earthquake” are often used interchangeably, but generally, the difference lies in their magnitude, perceived intensity, and reach.
- • Tremor: Refers to seismic movements of lesser intensity. Usually, it is used to describe low magnitude earth tremors that do not cause significant damage to structures or people. They are perceptible, but their impact is mild.
- • Earthquake: Refers to a seismic event of greater magnitude. Earthquakes are significant seismic tremors that can cause severe damage to buildings, infrastructure, and, in the most severe cases, cause personal injuries and even loss of life. They have considerable magnitude and are often accompanied by aftershocks.
- Earthquake in Pasto – Nariño, Colombia – Influence Area of the Galeras Volcano
- Magnitude: 2.2
- Depth: Shallow
- Local time: 2026-09-04 15:24
- Latitude: 2.18°
- Longitude: -77.32°
- Earthquake in Inzá – Cauca, Colombia – Influence Area of the Puracé Volcano
- Magnitude: 2.3
- Depth: Shallow
- Local time: 2026-09-04 14:29
- Latitude: 2.40°
- Longitude: -76.32°
- WHY SHOULD YOU NEVER USE AN ELEVATOR DURING AN EARTHQUAKE?
- Specialists recommend never using the elevator during an earthquake or tremor, as it could detach from its structure and fall from a great height with people inside.
- WHAT IS SEISMIC SILENCE?
- Seismic silence is a prolonged period without significant seismic activity or intensity in a region, which may indicate the accumulation of tectonic stresses and an increased risk of a future earthquake.
- WHAT IS AN EARTHQUAKE?
- An earthquake is a sudden rupture of rocks inside the Earth. This sudden release of energy propagates in the form of waves that cause ground movement.
- WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF A TSUNAMI?
- If you receive official tsunami alert or alarm information or see the sea receding, evacuate to higher areas. Move to a flood-free zone and head to the nearest meeting point. If you cannot reach a higher area, go to an upper floor or the roof of a solid building.
- CHECK AND NOTE THE EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE NUMBER.
- WHAT SHOULD MY EMERGENCY BACKPACK CONTAIN?
- • Essential hygiene items
- • First aid kit (bandages, gauze, alcohol, pills, hydrogen peroxide, etc.)
- • Warm clothing
- • Non-perishable food (cans of tuna, cereal bars, chocolates, nuts, etc.) and money
- • Communication items
- • Specific items for babies and infants, feminine use, the elderly, and other basic needs.
- Earthquake in Simacota – Santander, Colombia
- Magnitude: 2.2
- Depth: 115 km
- Local time: 2026-09-04 13:54
- Latitude: 6.52°
- Longitude: -73.50°
- Earthquake in Astrea – Cesar, Colombia
- Magnitude: 2.2
- Depth: Shallow
- Local time: 2026-09-04 12:24
- Latitude: 9.56°
- Longitude: -73.91°
- Earthquake in Algarrobo – Magdalena, Colombia
- Magnitude: 2.0
- Depth: 46 km
- Local time: 2026-09-04 07:28
- Latitude: 10.20°
- Longitude: -74.14°
- Earthquake in Los Santos – Santander, Colombia
- Magnitude: 2.1
- Depth: 140 km
- Local time: 2026-09-04 06:56
- Latitude: 6.75°
- Longitude: -73.13°
- Earthquake in Ábrego – Norte de Santander, Colombia
- Magnitude: 2.0
- Depth: 124 km
- Local time: 2026-09-04 04:45
- Latitude: 8.02°
- Longitude: -73.20°
- Earthquake in Los Santos – Santander, Colombia
- Magnitude: 2.0
- Depth: 141 km
- Local time: 2026-09-04 04:37
- Latitude: 6.78°
- Longitude: -73.13°
- Earthquake in Los Santos – Santander, Colombia
- Magnitude: 2.0
- Depth: 137 km
- Local time: 2026-09-04 03:02
- Latitude: 6.67°
- Longitude: -73.16°
- CHECK WHAT A HOME EMERGENCY BACKPACK SHOULD CONTAIN.
- WHY ARE THERE SO MANY EARTHQUAKES IN COLOMBIA?
- Colombia is located in the northwestern corner of South America, where the South American, Nazca, and Caribbean tectonic plates converge; a characteristic that explains the high level of seismicity in the country.
- EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS – COLOMBIA
- • Emergency line: 123
- (It is the unique national emergency line, allowing Colombians to access all emergency and security services offered by the State with a single number)
- • National Police: 112
- • Traffic Police: 127
- • Civil Defense: 144
- • Firefighters: 119
- • Red Cross: 132
- • Ambulance Service: 125
- • Gaula – Anti-kidnapping: 165
- • Disaster Attention: 111
- CAN EARTHQUAKES BE PREDICTED?
- So far, there is no reliable technique anywhere in the world for earthquake forecasting, and we are still far from achieving it.
- However, although earthquakes cannot be predicted in time, they can be predicted in space, meaning it can be said that an earthquake will occur in certain areas, but when it will happen is unknown.
- Earthquake in Istmina – Chocó, Colombia
Magnitude: 2.8
Depth: 46 km
Local time: 2026-09-04 02:48:50
UTC time: 2026-09-04 07:48:50
Latitude: 4.49°
Longitude: -76.69°
- Earthquake in Los Santos – Santander, Colombia
Magnitude: 2.2
Depth: 143 km
Local time: 2026-09-04 01:18:03
UTC time: 2026-09-04 06:18:03
Latitude: 6.79°
Longitude -73.14°
- Earthquake in El Águila – Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Magnitude: 2.1
Depth: 107 km
Local time: 2026-09-04 01:05:06
UTC time: 2026-09-04 06:05:06
Latitude: 4.90°
Longitude: -75.99°
- Earthquake in Zapatoca – Santander, Colombia
Magnitude: 2.3
Depth: 132 km
Local time: 2026-09-04 00:52:10
UTC time: 2026-09-04 05:52:10
Latitude: 6.81°
Longitude: -73.32°
- What to do during earthquake aftershocks?
- Stay calm and avoid running or pushing.
- Drop, cover, and hold on if the movement becomes strong again.
- Stay away from windows, glass, shelves, and objects that may fall.
- If you are inside a building and cannot evacuate immediately, stay in a safe internal area, away from elements that may detach.
- Do not use elevators during evacuation; use the stairs.
- If the building shows significant damage, evacuate following established routes and head to a safe area.
- Do not return to a damaged structure until authorities or specialists determine it is safe. Aftershocks can cause new collapses.
- What is the difference between earthquake, tremor, and seismic event?
- From a scientific point of view, earthquake, tremor, and seismic event describe the same geological phenomenon: the movement of the Earth’s crust caused by the sudden release of energy accumulated inside the Earth.
- Earthquake in Los Santos – Santander, Colombia
- Magnitude: 3.1
- Depth: 145 km
- Local time: 2026-09-03 19:19:47
- UTC time: 2026-09-04 00:19:47
- Latitude: 6.86°
- Longitude:-73.12°
- Earthquake in Istmina – Chocó, Colombia
- Magnitude:3.7
- Depth: 42 km
- Local time: 2026-09-03 18:32:39
- UTC time: 2026-09-03 23:32:39
- Latitude: 4.47°
- Longitude:-76.70°
- Earthquake in Los Santos – Santander, Colombia
- Magnitude: 2.2
- Depth: 138 km
- Local time: 2026-09-03 17:30:26
- UTC time: 2026-09-03 22:30:26
- Latitude: 6.78°
- Longitude: -73.14°
- Earthquake in Sipí – Chocó, Colombia
- Magnitude: 3.2
- Depth: 48 km
- Local time: 2026-09-03 16:30:29
- UTC time: 2026-09-03 21:30:29
- Latitude: 4.48°
- Longitude: -76.67°
- How many earthquakes occur on average per month in Colombia?
- About 2,500 earthquakes are recorded each month, although most are of low magnitude and do not generate significant effects.
- IN WHICH CITY DO MOST EARTHQUAKES OCCUR?
There is a place where earthquakes occur almost every day and represents 60% of the seismicity in Colombia: the Bucaramanga Seismic Nest, located in the department of Santander, near the municipality of Los Santos.
- HOW MANY EARTHQUAKES OCCUR ON AVERAGE PER MONTH IN COLOMBIA?
There are 2,500 earthquakes per month, but most are not of significant magnitude or intensity.
- IN WHICH PLACES IN COLOMBIA DO MOST EARTHQUAKES OCCUR?
The most seismically active places in the country are the coasts and around our mountain ranges.
- Earthquake in Los Santos – Santander
- Date and Local Time: 2026-09-03 11:58
- Magnitude: 4.2
- Depth: 146 km
- Latitude: 6.80
- Longitude: -73.12
- WHY ARE THERE SO MANY EARTHQUAKES IN COLOMBIA?
Colombia is located in the northwestern corner of South America, where the South American, Nazca, and Caribbean tectonic plates converge; a characteristic that explains the high level of seismicity in the country.
- Earthquake in Chita – Boyacá
- Date and Local Time: 2026-09-03 08:01
- Magnitude: 2
- Depth: shallow
- Latitude: 5.93
- Longitude: -72.40
Recent earthquakes reported by the SGC.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EARTHQUAKE, TREMOR, SEISMIC EVENT, AND TELURIC MOVEMENT?
Actually, the four terms are synonyms, but in Latin America special emphasis has been given to the term earthquake to refer to destructive quakes or those that have caused victims.
WHAT IS AN EARTHQUAKE?
An earthquake is a sudden rupture of rocks inside the Earth. This sudden release of energy propagates in the form of waves that cause ground movement.
WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF A TSUNAMI?
If you receive official tsunami alert or alarm information or see the sea receding, evacuate to higher areas. Move to a flood-free zone and head to the nearest meeting point. If you cannot reach a higher area, go to an upper floor or the roof of a solid building.
HOW MANY SEISMOGRAPHS ARE THERE?
NATIONAL SEISMIC NETWORK OF COLOMBIA-RSNC
The SGC has a total of 339 seismic stations, located throughout the Colombian territory and in specific areas such as active volcanoes. 206 seismic stations are located covering the entire territory corresponding to the National Seismic Network.
There are 133 seismic stations installed on the active Colombian volcanoes that are permanently monitored in three volcanological and seismological observatories.
WHAT IS THE COLOMBIAN GEOLOGICAL SERVICE?
The SGC is a century-old science and technology entity attached to the Ministry of Mines and Energy, whose objective is to contribute to the country’s economic and social development through research in basic and applied geosciences of the subsurface, the potential of its resources, the evaluation and monitoring of geological hazards, the comprehensive management of geoscientific knowledge, research, and nuclear and radioactive control, addressing the priorities of the National Government’s policies.
What was the magnitude and where was the last tremor? See here the reports from the Colombian Geological Service (SGC) about the latest earthquakes in the country.
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