According to the official China Earthquake Network, a magnitude 7.5 earthquake occurred in Colombia at 20:34 on August 10. The focal depth was 80 kilometers, with the epicenter located at 4.85 degrees north latitude and 76.15 degrees west longitude.
@China Earthquake Network
According to Reuters, this is the strongest earthquake that Colombia has experienced since the beginning of this century, and the country has declared a state of emergency. Preliminary reports indicate that as of 10 pm local time, the strong earthquake has caused at least 111 deaths and 87 injuries.
Colombia's main coffee-growing region, the department of Herrera, is one of the most severely affected areas. Many buildings in the capital city of Herrera have collapsed, and rescuers are clearing the debris and searching for survivors. Local authorities report that at least 40 people died in Herrera, over 60 buildings collapsed, and at least 15 buildings have trapped people inside.
Colombia's new president, Ávila Rodríguez de Espaillate, has declared a state of emergency. In a national speech delivered in the local time on the afternoon of the 10th, he said: "The national government has mobilized all its resources to protect the lives of citizens, assist the affected communities, and provide assistance wherever needed. The top priority is to rescue those trapped under the ruins."
Local time on August 10th: In Pereira, Colombia, buildings collapsed due to earthquakes. Photo provided by IC.
Reuters noted that Colombia is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where earthquakes occur frequently, and most of these earthquakes are of relatively small magnitude. This earthquake is the strongest to be recorded in Colombia since the beginning of the 21st century.
American seismologist Susan VanderLee said that although the epicenter of this earthquake is deep, its powerful magnitude, inland location, and strike-slip movements could exacerbate damage. She said, “This earthquake has a deep epicenter, located at a deeper level beneath the Earth’s crust. In theory, it should not cause such significant shaking. But in reality, earthquakes of this magnitude can indeed have a significant impact.”
The Colombian Geological Survey stated that as of later on the 10th local time, the country has recorded 21 aftershocks, and more vibrations may occur.
