A shallow 5.6‑magnitude quake jolted half of Colombia in the early hours of Tuesday, November 3, waking thousands and prompting evacuations.
Key points
- The earthquake’s shallow depth caused strong shaking over a wide area, but major damage was limited to Tolima.
- Five aftershocks followed the main event, the largest reaching magnitude 3.5.
- Authorities reported no injuries in Bogotá, while Tolima recorded one injury and power outages.
- Recent seismic activity in the region underscores Colombia’s position at the convergence of the Nazca, South American and Caribbean plates.
At 4:13 a.m. local time on November 3, the Colombian Geological Survey (SGC) recorded a magnitude‑5.6 earthquake whose epicenter lay near Chaparral in the department of Tolima, about 17 km from Roncesvalles and San Antonio and 22 km from Chaparral itself. The event’s shallow depth—under 30 km—amplified the shaking felt across central and western Colombia, including Bogotá, Cali, Armenia, Manizales, Pereira and Ibagué.
The SGC initially posted a magnitude of 5.3 but revised the figure to 5.6 after reviewing the data. Coordinates were logged at 3.86° N, 75.63° W. In Bogotá, building alarms sounded and residents were urged to evacuate to safety zones, though the mayor later confirmed no injuries or structural damage in the capital.
Epicenter, magnitude and depth
Five aftershocks followed within the next hour, the first striking three minutes after the main tremor at magnitude 3.3. The strongest aftershock, recorded at 4:27 a.m., reached magnitude 3.5. All aftershocks were also shallow, with depths under 30 km.
Tolima bore the brunt of the impact. Chaparral’s mayor reported a woman injured when a wall collapsed, requiring hospitalization, and a home collapse in the Rio Negro area of Las Hermosas district. Power outages were reported in Roncesvalles, Rioblanco and rural Planadas. The regional governor activated emergency committees and moved school activities online pending inspections.
Aftershocks and local damage
The quake revives memories of the August 10, 2026, magnitude‑7.4 earthquake that devastated Chocó, Cali and Pereira, leaving more than 300 dead. Recent weeks have seen heightened seismicity in southern Tolima, with over 1,100 quakes above magnitude 2.0 recorded between September 20‑30 and a magnitude‑4.0 event felt on October 30 across 44 municipalities.
The SGC continues to urge residents to report felt tremors through its Sismo Sentido tool and to follow official updates. Bogotá’s fire department and the District Institute for Risk Management and Climate Change (Idiger) remain on alert as monitoring continues.
Reader questions
What was the magnitude and depth of the November 3 earthquake?
The Colombian Geological Survey confirmed a magnitude of 5.6 and a shallow depth of less than 30 kilometers.
Were there any injuries or damage reported?
One woman was injured in Chaparral after a wall collapsed; no injuries or structural damage were reported in Bogotá.
How can residents report felt tremors?
Residents are encouraged to use the SGC’s Sismo Sentido tool to log any shaking they experience.
Source: colombiaone.com