7.4-Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Much of Colombia
Central and much of western Colombia began Monday morning, August 10, with a strong earthquake that caused alarm among thousands of people. The Colombian Geological Survey (SGC) initially reported a magnitude 7.4 earthquake, recorded at 7:34 a.m., with its epicenter near San José del Palmar, in the department of Chocó, at a depth of 82 kilometers.
The strength of the earthquake caused it to be felt in numerous parts of the country, including Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali, as well as other departments and cities. Within minutes, social media was flooded with messages from people describing how buildings, windows, and objects inside homes shook, while preventive protocols were activated in different locations and precautionary evacuations were carried out.
7.4-Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Much of Colombia
The event occurred early in the morning, when many people were at home, commuting to work, or beginning their workday. The depth recorded by the SGC allowed the seismic waves to be felt at a considerable distance from the epicenter.
In Medellín and several municipalities in the Aburra Valley, residents reported that the movement was particularly intense and that some buildings swayed for more than 20 seconds. In some buildings, people opted to evacuate as a precaution while the condition of the structures was being checked.
Bogotá was also among the cities where the earthquake was felt. In the capital, as is usually the case with movements of this magnitude, numerous citizens temporarily left buildings and homes out of fear of possible structural damage or additional aftershocks.
Cali and other cities in southwestern Colombia also reported feeling the movement, increasing the sense that the earthquake had shaken a wide area of the country.
During the first hours after the earthquake, authorities prioritized determining whether the movement had caused damage to homes, buildings, roads, hospitals, power grids, or other essential services.
As of the first available reports, no fatalities or major material damage associated with the earthquake had been confirmed. However, authorities continued monitoring areas where the movement was felt most strongly, as a full assessment of its effects could take several hours.
The SGC asked citizens to report how they felt the earthquake through its official platform, a tool that allows information to be collected on the perceived intensity in different municipalities and contributes to the assessment of the event.
The agency also stressed the importance of consulting only official channels in case of new reports, aftershocks, or updates regarding the magnitude and location of the event.
#SismosColombiaSGC Evento Sísmico – Boletín Actualizado 2, 2026-08-10, 07:34 hora local Magnitud 7.4, profundidad 96 km, San José del Palmar – Chocó, Colombia ¿Sintió este sismo? repórtelo https://t.co/pgC7OC2O7j https://t.co/63pt8nVsSe #NoticiaEnDesarrollo pic.twitter.com/8LQZs0nsfF
— Servicio Geológico Colombiano (@sgcol) August 10, 2026
Panic and evacuations in several cities
Beyond the physical damage, one of the earthquake’s first effects was an alarmed reaction among the population. On social media, citizens described the movement as prolonged and intense. Some said it was one of the strongest earthquakes they had ever experienced.
In Medellín, for example, citizen reports described buildings moving and precautionary evacuations. The situation generated moments of tension, although initial inspections did not indicate an emergency of major proportions.
In Bogotá, Cali, and other cities, similar reactions also occurred, with people leaving their homes and workplaces to get to safety while the movement passed.
The earthquake once again highlighted Colombia’s seismic vulnerability, as the country is crossed by different geological fault systems and has numerous cities built in areas where these phenomena can be felt strongly.
The SGC continues to update information on the event, while local authorities are maintaining their monitoring mechanisms. For now, the initial assessment is one of widespread alarm, precautionary evacuations, and infrastructure inspections, but with no reports of confirmed fatalities or serious damage.
Authorities recommend remaining calm, avoiding the spread of unconfirmed information, and staying alert to official channels as the assessment of the earthquake’s impact continues.