Duration of the San José del Palmar earthquake: three perspectives

On August 10, 2026, a strong magnitude‑7.4 earthquake shook the San José del Palmar region in Colombia, raising questions about how long the quake actually lasted. The Colombian Geological Service (SGC) responded by explaining the different ways to measure an earthquake’s duration.

How the SGC defines the duration of an earthquake

The agency made clear that there is no single answer, as duration can refer to three distinct aspects. "There is not a single answer because when we talk about the duration of an earthquake we may be referring to three different things: how long people feel it, how long our instruments record it, or how long the fault movement that generates it lasts".

What people feel

For most people, the sensation of shaking lasts only a few seconds. "While a person can feel an earthquake for a few seconds, stations can record its waves for several minutes". Perception varies according to the distance from the hypocenter, ground characteristics, and building type. "This can change from person to person. It depends on factors such as the distance to the hypocenter (the place inside the Earth where the rupture starts), the characteristics of the ground, and the construction in which we are located".

What seismometers record

The instruments can detect movements that escape human perception, remaining active for several minutes after the event begins.

Fault movement duration

Specifically for the San José del Palmar earthquake, the stations closest to the epicenter recorded roughly between 90 seconds and 2 minutes of significant movement. "In the case of the San José del Palmar earthquake, the monitoring stations nearest the epicenter recorded approximately between 90 seconds and 2 minutes of significant movement".

Recommendations from the National Unit for Risk Management

The agency advises families to create an emergency plan that includes developing an evacuation route, identifying safe locations, and assembling an emergency kit with water, a flashlight, a radio, non‑perishable food, and identification documents. During the shaking, it is recommended to stay calm and protect oneself in structurally safe areas, such as under a sturdy piece of furniture or near a column, avoiding doors, windows, and objects that could fall. After the quake, it is important to act cautiously, not use elevators, not run or push others, and stay away from hazardous items. Assess structural damage before re‑entering buildings, shut off gas, water, and electricity supplies when safe, and stay informed through official channels.