Archive · 10 Aug 2026
Powerful 7.4-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Colombia, Tremors Felt in Bogotá
On Monday morning, a very big earthquake shook Colombia.
An earthquake is when the ground suddenly shakes and moves.
It happened early in the morning, around 7:34.
The earthquake started near a town called San José del Palmar, in a part of Colombia called Chocó.
People in the capital city, Bogotá, felt the ground shaking, and so did people in other parts of the country and even in nearby countries.
Different scientific groups measured the quake a little differently: some said it was a 7.4 magnitude quake, while Colombia's own scientists first said 6.7.
Magnitude tells us how strong the quake is.
The shaking hurt some people and damaged buildings in Chocó, especially in the city of Quibdó.
In Bogotá, the mayor said there were no injuries, just a few cracks in buildings.
Experts said there was no tsunami danger, and emergency workers are checking to make sure everyone is safe.
A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, with the epicentre placed near San José del Palmar in the Chocó department.
Seismic agencies gave differing preliminary readings: the USGS and EMSC reported magnitude 7.4, while Colombia's Geological Service initially estimated 6.7; reported depths ranged from 82 to 115 kilometres.
Tremors were felt in Bogotá, Antioquia, Cundinamarca, Meta and other areas, and were also reported in neighbouring Venezuela and Ecuador.
Chocó Governor Nubia Carolina Córdoba-Curi reported injuries and severe damage to buildings in Chocó, including in the regional capital Quibdó; video footage showed a church collapsing, while Bogotá Mayor Carlos Galán said the capital had only some cracks and no injuries.
The US tsunami warning system reported no tsunami threat, while authorities activated emergency response and prevention protocols and warned residents of possible aftershocks.
- Who
- Residents of Colombia and parts of Venezuela and Ecuador; seismic agencies including the USGS, EMSC and Colombia's Geological Service; and officials including Chocó Governor Nubia Carolina Córdoba-Curi and Bogotá Mayor Carlos Galán.
- What
- A powerful earthquake with preliminary magnitude estimates of 7.4 and 6.7 struck western Colombia, causing injuries and building damage in Chocó and prompting evacuations.
- When
- Monday, at around 7:34 am local time.
- Where
- Epicentre near San José del Palmar in Chocó department, western Colombia; tremors felt in Bogotá, Antioquia, Cundinamarca, Meta, Venezuela and Ecuador.
- Why
- The articles do not state the quake's cause; emergency authorities activated response and prevention protocols to assess damage and assist the injured.
- Magnitude (USGS/EMSC estimate)
- 7.4
- Magnitude (Colombia's Geological Service estimate)
- 6.7
- Depth
- About 82-115 km across agency estimates
- Epicentre
- Near San José del Palmar, Chocó department, western Colombia
- Time of quake
- Around 7:34 am local time on Monday
- Areas where tremors were felt
- Bogotá, Antioquia, Cundinamarca, Meta; also Venezuela and Ecuador
- Impact in Chocó
- Injuries and severe building damage, including in the regional capital Quibdó
- Tsunami threat
- None reported by the US tsunami warning system
Sources
Colombia Earthquake: Terrifying Videos Show Buildings Shaking As 7.4-Magnitude Quake Strikes Pacific Coast, Damage Reported
Powerful quake of 7.4 magnitude strikes Colombia; tremors felt in Bogota, other regions
7.4-magnitude quake jolts Colombia, tremors felt in Venezuela; injuries, damage reported
