Magnitude 3.1 earthquake recorded near Bogotá in Cundinamarca

A magnitude 3.1 earthquake shook northern Cundinamarca on Saturday, with its epicenter in the municipality of Lenguazaque and its depth recorded at 145 kilometers.

The Colombian Geological Service updated its bulletin at 6:15 p.m. The location attracted attention because it is relatively close to Bogotá, although the way people perceive an earthquake depends on the distance from the epicenter, its depth and local ground conditions.

The agency invited anyone who felt the movement in Bogotá or elsewhere to report it. Those reports help show how the earthquake was experienced in different parts of the country. Deep earthquakes can be felt across wider areas, while shallow movements may produce stronger effects near the epicenter, depending on their characteristics.

The Lenguazaque earthquake came during a day of seismic activity in several regions. More than 60 low-intensity movements were recorded across Colombia during the previous 24 hours.

The country has remained under close observation after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck San José del Palmar, Chocó, on August 10. That earthquake occurred at a depth of 107 kilometers and was followed by aftershocks and other movements recorded by the Geological Service. Recent events included a magnitude 3.7 earthquake near Istmina, Chocó, on September 3, and a magnitude 3.4 earthquake in Los Santos, Santander, on the morning of September 5. Colombia’s seismic activity reflects the interaction of the Nazca, Caribbean and South American tectonic plates.