And size earthquake 3.1 happened this November 13 in a municipality of Ruinslocated in the department of Santander, according to information released by the Geological Service of Colombia (SGC).
The earthquake started at 11:50 (local time) and had a depth of 156 kilometers, with a latitude of 6.927479267 and a longitude of -73.03381348.
It is worth mentioning that this information published by the SGC is preliminary and may or may not change on the magnitude of the tremor and the exact location of the origin.
In Colombia the earthquake intensity It is measured by the European Macroeconomic Scale (EMS-98), which starts from severity 2, described as “just mean” very few people are at rest; level 3 is classified as “Feel Light”where some things could swing.
An earthquake is considered intensity 4 when it occurs “widely felt” by many people inside buildings and by few outside. Vibrating windows, doors and dishes. At level 5, “Feeling strong”small objects move, doors or windows swing and small cracks may be recorded in buildings or houses.
Type 6 severity means a “minor damage”in this range some people can lose their balance; Some objects fall and many buildings are slightly damaged. Level 7 occurs when a “moderate damage”That is, heavy furniture can move and many buildings have cracks and coatings can fall from the walls.
at an intensity above 7, a “great damage”: at this point many people have difficulty standing; heavy objects fall; and weak old structures can collapse.
About 80% of the world’s strongest earthquakes occur in this region. (Infobae)It is considered a country of high seismic risk, Colombia is a country located in the The Pacific Ring of Firean area that hosts 75% of the world’s volcanoes and where around 80% of volcanoes occur. strongest tremors in the world.
Also known as the Pacific Ring of Fire, it consists of the mountainous western area of Argentina, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico, the United States and Canada, and then turn around the Aleutian Islands and go down the coasts and islands of Russia, Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, East Timor, Brunei, Singapore, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and New Zealand.
Because of this situation, the departments of Nariño, Choco, Caldas and Santander are the places that experience the most tremors; In the second is the municipality of Los Santos, which is the second the most seismic area in the world.
Two earthquakes occurred in the border area of Ecuador and Colombia on August 15 and 16, 1868, with magnitudes of 6.3 and 6.7, the latter being the deadliest with a duration of nearly a minute of movement.
The first of them was recorded in the towns of El Ángel and La Concepción; and the second earthquake left the Ecuadorian city of Ibarra completely destroyed. It is believed that this movement caused about 70 thousand victims, counting deaths and injuries in both countries.
Also known as the Andes Earthquake, this earthquake occurred on May 18, 1875 and had a magnitude of between 7.5 and 8.5 in Cúcuta, although it also caused damage in the neighboring Venezuelan state of Táchira.
Although some claim that the number of victims of this earthquake reached 3,000, at least in the affected area in Colombia only 461 bodies were found. From this earthquake, hot springs were also visible from the sites known today as ”Agua Hedionda”, “El Tampaco” and “Aguas Calientes”.
Due to the geographical area in which Colombia is located, it is a country prone to earthquakes. (Reuters/Luisa González)An earthquake of magnitude 8.8 hit the province of Esmeralda in Ecuador, on the border with Colombia, on January 31. This movement generated a tsunami that left 1,500 dead. According to information from the SGC, the waves reached five meters in height and covered the Colombian region of Tumaco.
The earthquake occurred in the foothills of the Central Cordillera of the Cauca Andes, in southwestern Colombia, on June 6, 1994. It had a magnitude of 6.4 and left about 800 people dead, mainly the inhabitants of the settlements near the Páez River. This is considered the second deadliest in the country’s history.
Considered the worst earthquake in the country’s recent history, this earthquake affected the departments of Quindío and Risaralda in Colombia, leaving more than a thousand people dead.
The earthquake occurred on January 25, 1999 and had a magnitude of 6.2. Several hospitals were affected and the resources to deal with the emergency were limited. The earthquake left four thousand people injured and almost 500 missing.
About eight thousand coffee farms were completely or partially destroyed, and 13 thousand structures of many types of companies and industries were affected.
Interview between Time.news Editor and Earthquake Expert
Editor: Welcome to Time.news. Today, we’re diving into a pressing issue regarding seismic activity, particularly focusing on Colombia, which is known for experiencing some of the world’s largest earthquakes. I’m joined by Dr. Helena Córdoba, a seismologist with extensive knowledge about earthquakes in the Pacific Ring of Fire. Thank you for being with us today, Dr. Córdoba.
Dr. Córdoba: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to discuss this important subject.
Editor: Let’s start with the recent earthquake that occurred in the municipality of Ruins, Santander, with a magnitude of 3.1. The Geological Service of Colombia reported this event, but what does such a magnitude mean in the context of seismic activity in Colombia?
Dr. Córdoba: A magnitude of 3.1 on the Richter scale is relatively low, but given Colombia’s position within the Pacific Ring of Fire, even smaller tremors can be precursors to larger seismic events. While this particular quake may not cause significant damage, it’s a reminder of the country’s high seismic risk.
Editor: Colombia indeed falls within a region known for its active tectonic dynamics. Could you elaborate on the significance of the Pacific Ring of Fire when it comes to earthquakes?
Dr. Córdoba: Absolutely! The Pacific Ring of Fire is the most seismically active area in the world, hosting about 80% of the planet’s strongest earthquakes. Colombia is situated in this zone, which is characterized by numerous fault lines and volcanic activity. This geological context makes it particularly prone to earthquakes.
Editor: You mentioned that even low-magnitude earthquakes can be significant. Can you tell us about how earthquake intensity is measured in Colombia?
Dr. Córdoba: In Colombia, we use the European Macroseismic Scale (EMS-98) to assess earthquake intensity, ranging from level 2, which is barely felt, to level 7 or above, indicating severe damage. Understanding this scale is crucial for gauging potential impacts on populations and infrastructure.
Editor: Are there specific regions in Colombia that are particularly vulnerable?
Dr. Córdoba: Yes, certain regions like Nariño, Choco, Caldas, and Santander experience more tremors compared to others. For instance, Santander is home to Los Santos, which is the second-most seismic area in the world. These regions require heightened awareness and preparedness for seismic activity.
Editor: Historical earthquakes have caused significant devastation in Colombia, such as the ones in 1868 and 1875, which resulted in thousands of casualties. How important is it to remember these events in terms of preparedness today?
Dr. Córdoba: It’s critical! Learning from past earthquakes helps us better understand seismic risks and implement effective disaster preparedness strategies. Awareness of historical events can inform both policy decisions and community-level preparedness initiatives, ultimately saving lives.
Editor: Given the recurring nature of seismic activity, what steps can individuals and local governments take to mitigate the effects of earthquakes?
Dr. Córdoba: Individuals should familiarize themselves with earthquake safety protocols, such as ‘Drop, Cover, and Hold On.’ Local governments can focus on retrofitting buildings to make them more earthquake-resistant, conducting regular drills, and ensuring that emergency response plans are in place.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Córdoba, for shedding light on this vital issue. As we’ve learned today, understanding and preparing for seismic activity in Colombia is crucial.
Dr. Córdoba: Thank you for having me! Awareness and education are key to ensuring safety in our high-risk regions.
Editor: And to our viewers, stay informed and stay safe! Until next time.