A Colombia earthquake of magnitude 7.4 struck western Colombia on Monday morning near San José del Palmar, jolting residents in Bogotá, Medellín and Cali. People evacuated homes and buildings as the tremor spread across the country’s west.
San José del Palmar and western Colombia
The earthquake hit at 7:34 a.m. COT, or 12:34 UTC, about 3.1 miles east of San José del Palmar and at a depth of approximately 66.5 miles. That combination of timing and depth helps explain why the shaking reached far beyond the area closest to the epicenter and was felt in Colombia’s largest cities.
Bogotá, Medellín and Cali
Residents in Bogotá, Medellín and Cali reported feeling the shaking, and evacuations followed in homes and buildings as the tremor struck. For people inside those structures, the immediate next step was to move out quickly and wait for further guidance before returning indoors.
Colombia Maritime Authority
After the quake, the Colombia Maritime Authority stated there are no tsunami threats. That leaves the main unresolved issue whether the earthquake caused any damage, injuries or deaths, a question that still matters for residents deciding when they can safely resume normal routines in western Colombia.
