Minor earthquakes in Bolivia unrelated to Colombia's major tremor

Bolivia experienced two minor seismic events on Monday, one in La Paz and another in Cochabamba, registering magnitudes between 3.0 and 3.8. These tremors were not widely felt and are distinct from the recent powerful earthquake that struck Colombia.

Walter Arce, an analyst at the San Calixto Observatory, explained that the significant distance between Bolivia and Colombia, over 500 kilometers, makes it highly unlikely for the Colombian earthquake to have any effect in Bolivia. He confirmed the occurrence of the two seismic events within Bolivia but stressed their different characteristics and lack of connection to the Colombian quake.

The reason these Bolivian tremors were less intense upon reaching the surface is attributed to their greater depth. Arce noted that the Colombian earthquake occurred at depths of approximately 90 to 110 kilometers, whereas the tremors in Bolivia originated at depths of 150 to 300 kilometers. This deeper origin significantly reduces the probability of them being felt on the surface or causing damage.

Historically, seismic activity in Bolivia is most frequent in the Potosí department, followed by Cochabamba, La Paz, and Santa Cruz, with very few occurrences in Tarija. The recent events in La Paz and Cochabamba, while minor, serve as a reminder of the region's geological activity.