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Magnitude 3.0 earthquake strikes Zapatoca, Santander, Colombia
🇨🇴 Colombia /Disasters & Emergencies

Magnitude 3.0 earthquake strikes Zapatoca, Santander, Colombia

From El Tiempo · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Context piece
  • A magnitude 3.0 earthquake was registered in Zapatoca, Santander, Colombia, on Sunday, August 23.
  • The tremor occurred at 4:49 p.m. local time and had a depth of 137 kilometers.
  • The Colombian Geological Service provided safety recommendations for residents following the earthquake.

A moderate earthquake with a magnitude of 3.0 shook the municipality of Zapatoca in the Santander department of Colombia on Sunday, August 23. The Colombian Geological Service (SGC) reported the seismic event occurred at 4:49 p.m. local time, with its epicenter located approximately 5 kilometers from Zapatoca.

The tremor registered a depth of 137 kilometers, according to the SGC's monitoring systems. The earthquake's epicenter was also pinpointed in relation to nearby towns, being 11 kilometers from Betulia and 15 kilometers from Los Santos, both also in Santander.

Following the event, the SGC issued guidance for residents on how to respond to seismic activity. They advise staying calm and seeking immediate protection. In seismically resistant buildings, individuals should move near columns or under sturdy desks, away from windows and potential falling objects. For those in informal structures, careful evacuation is recommended, with attention to potential hazards during the exit. The SGC also stressed that door frames are not safe areas and should not be used for shelter.

DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Tiempo in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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