Colombia Reports 2,158 More Tremors Since August 10 Earthquake

Colombia has recorded 2,158 seismic events since the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck the country on August 10, an activity that has remained particularly concentrated in the west, but has also included significant episodes in other parts of the country. The most recent occurred this Wednesday, with a magnitude of 5.1 and an epicenter in Los Santos, Santander, in the eastern part of the country.

The Santander earthquake became the second-largest earthquake recorded since the earthquake two and a half weeks ago, surpassed only by the main event whose epicenter was near San José del Palmar, in Chocó.

Although the succession of tremors may cause concern among the population, experts say that the observed behavior corresponds, to a large extent, to the dynamics expected after a major earthquake.

Colombia reports 2,158 more tremors since August 10 earthquake

Data from the Colombian Geological Service (SGC) show that between August 10 and 26, 2,158 seismic events occurred in Colombia. Of that total, 1,022 were recorded in Chocó, the department that accounts for nearly 47% of the seismic activity recorded during this period.

San José del Palmar, where the epicenter of the magnitude 7.4 earthquake was located, has recorded 95 movements since the main event. The figure reflects the persistence of seismic activity around the area where the rupture that caused the earthquake occurred.

Santander is another department with significant activity, with 547 earthquakes recorded in recent weeks. It is followed by Antioquia, with 147; Valle del Cauca, with 61; and Bolivar, with 40.

The concentration of the movements does not mean that they are all directly related to one another. Colombia is a seismically active country, and different regions have their own seismic sources and tectonic characteristics.

Why have so many earthquakes occurred?

The main factor behind the increase in activity recorded after August 10 is aftershocks. When a major earthquake occurs, the rupture of a fault changes the stress conditions in the surrounding rocks. The system then begins a process of readjustment that can generate numerous subsequent movements.

National University seismologist German Pinto explained that this behavior was expected after the Choco earthquake. According to the expert, most of the movements have been concentrated near the fault where the main event occurred, in the vicinity of San José del Palmar.

For this reason, the number of tremors recorded should not be interpreted as meaning that Colombia is necessarily experiencing a new sequence of major earthquakes. Many of these events are small in magnitude and are detected only by the monitoring stations of the Colombian Geological Service.

The magnitude 5.1 earthquake recorded Wednesday in Los Santos, Santander, drew particular attention because it was the second-largest earthquake since the August 10 earthquake. However, Pinto noted that it is also an expected phenomenon in a region that has a high level of seismic activity.

Los Santos and its surroundings are known for having a high concentration of intermediate-depth earthquakes. In fact, the specialist described this area as one of the regions with the highest concentration of this type of seismic activity in the world.

This explains why the Santander earthquake should not necessarily be linked to the aftershocks of the Chocó earthquake. It is a region with its own seismic dynamics, meaning it can experience earthquakes independently of the activity that continues in the western part of the country.

#SismosColombiaSGC Evento Sísmico – Boletín Preliminar, 2026-08-26, 11:45 hora local Magnitud 5.4. Profundidad 140 km ¿Sintió este sismo? repórtelo https://t.co/pgC7OC2O7j https://t.co/63pt8nVsSe #Temblor #Sismo pic.twitter.com/cL7ZorQll7

— Servicio Geológico Colombiano (@sgcol) August 26, 2026

Greater activity, but not necessarily alarming

The recording of 2,158 earthquakes represents higher-than-usual activity for the period, but experts consider that the behavior observed does not, in itself, constitute a warning sign. The sequence following the 7.4-magnitude earthquake is consistent with the adjustment process that normally occurs after an event of that magnitude.

The activity may also continue for days, weeks, or even months and gradually decrease over time. For now, the main recommendation from experts is to remain prepared and follow the authorities’ guidance, without interpreting every new tremor as a sign that another major earthquake is necessarily approaching.

Colombia is a seismically active country because of its location in a zone where the Nazca, South American, and Caribbean tectonic plates interact. The movement and convergence of these plates, together with the presence of numerous geological faults, generate a constant release of energy beneath the surface. For this reason, earthquakes are part of the country’s natural dynamics and can occur virtually every day.

In this regard, the country records an average of about 2,500 earthquakes per month, equivalent to nearly 30,000 per year or about 80 per day. The vast majority are low-magnitude and are not felt by the population, as they are only detected by monitoring equipment.

The so-called Bucaramanga Seismic Nest, located in Santander, near Los Santos, accounts for around 60% of the country’s seismic activity. In addition, the Colombian Geological Service (SGC) maintains permanent monitoring through a network of more than 200 stations distributed throughout the country, allowing these movements to be detected and analyzed 24 hours a day.