Deep 7.4 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Colombia, Geologist Warns of Regional Risk

A powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake rattled Colombia on Monday, with its effects felt across Pereira, Manizales, Buenaventura, and Cali. Citizens evacuated their homes as alarms sounded, following the tremor that geologist Andrés Folguera described as "very deep, 100 kilometers deep."

Folguera explained the phenomenon of deep earthquakes, noting that seismic waves travel at different speeds. "If you are further from the earthquake, the different speed of the waves makes the waves arrive more separated," he told LN+. This separation, he detailed, caused the shaking to last between two and three minutes.

Authorities reported the collapse of about a hundred buildings, with people trapped and significant damage. Folguera attributed much of this to older structures lacking seismic-resistant standards. "Old buildings are generally damaged because they are not built with anti-seismic standards," he stated, highlighting pre-existing construction flaws.

Scientists are investigating a potential link between this Colombian earthquake and a recent large tremor in Venezuela. Folguera noted that while it's currently a hypothesis, the occurrence of three major earthquakes in two countries recently is unusual and warrants attention. "We have had the coincidence of having three large, very large earthquakes in two countries, a coincidence that puts us all on guard," he said.

He stressed the violent nature of the earth and the necessity of preparedness. "We must address it with civil plans, with education plans, with adequate construction plans, because this can also happen in our territory," Folguera concluded, urging proactive measures.