Intense seismic activity shakes the Chocó department in Colombia
The department of Chocó, located in western Colombia, has experienced a day of high geological tension after a series of five earthquakes were recorded in less than an hour this Wednesday afternoon. According to information gathered by Alofoke Deportes, the seismic movements kept the area’s inhabitants on alert due to the recurrence of the events.
Details of seismic movements
The sequence of earthquakes began at 3:12 in the afternoon and lasted until 4:05 p.m., mainly affecting the municipalities of Medio San Juan, Sipí, and Istmina. The events are detailed below:
- First earthquake: Magnitude 4.7, with epicenter in Medio San Juan and a depth of 40 kilometers.
- Second earthquake: Magnitude 4.4, registered in Sipí at a depth of 37 kilometers.
- Third earthquake: Magnitude 3.6, again in Medio San Juan, at a depth of 38 kilometers.
- Fourth earthquake: Magnitude 4.4, with epicenter in Istmina and 38 kilometers deep.
- Fifth earthquake: Magnitude 3.3, located in Istmina at a depth of 46 kilometers.
Although the tremors were felt in various locations in western Colombia, including the city of Cali, the competent authorities have not reported any material damage or casualties following this recent activity.
This series of seismic events occurs just one day after three other tremors were recorded in less than ten minutes in the same region, keeping the population in constant vigilance due to the instability of the terrain.
Seismic context in Colombia
This region of the country remains under special observation following the strong 7.4 magnitude earthquake that occurred on August 10 in San José del Palmar, Chocó. That event, classified as the largest magnitude earthquake recorded in Colombia during this century, left a tragic toll of 335 people dead and triggered a sequence of approximately 300 aftershocks in the following weeks.
Colombian geography is characterized by constant seismic activity, a product of the interaction of various tectonic plates within its territory. This natural phenomenon explains the frequency with which these movements occur in different areas of the nation, forcing authorities to maintain active prevention protocols permanently.
