A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, resulting in multiple fatalities and widespread destruction to thousands of buildings throughout the country. According to the US Geological Survey, this seismic event stands as the strongest earthquake to originate within Colombia since at least 1990.
The epicenter was identified in San José del Palmar, located in the northwestern department of Chocó, approximately 240 kilometers (149 miles) west of Bogotá. Tremors from the quake were felt as far away as the capital city and were also reported in neighboring Venezuela, a nation currently managing the aftermath of its own series of destructive earthquakes from earlier this summer.
While most seismic activity typically occurs near tectonic plate boundaries, the US Geological Survey notes that quakes can occasionally strike the interior of continents. Historical records indicate that the frequency of significant earthquakes—defined as those measuring 6.0 or higher—has fluctuated over recent decades. With a reading of 7.4, Monday’s event is classified as a major earthquake, a designation that accounts for the extensive structural damage observed. The report also notes that historical data shows that the number of significant quakes — generally those of 6.0 or higher magnitude — have ebbed and flowed over the last few decades.