Risk of new aftershocks after the 7.4 earthquake in Colombia

On August 10, 2026, a magnitude‑7.4 earthquake shook Colombia, causing loss of life and damage to various infrastructures. The intense seismic movement, which lasted several seconds, kept the population on alert regarding the possibility of new aftershocks and future large‑magnitude earthquakes.

The 7.4 earthquake that shook Colombia

According to the Colombian Geological Service (SGC), the main shock released a large amount of energy accumulated in the Earth's crust, triggering the natural readjustment process that usually generates secondary movements. Although most aftershocks are less intense than the initial event, some can reach considerable magnitude and be felt strongly by the population.

Probability of aftershocks in the coming days

The SGC warns that aftershocks can occur over hours, days, and even weeks after the main earthquake. These movements are part of the crustal readjustment process and, although generally weaker, can still be perceived by the region’s inhabitants.

Why the region is so seismic

Colombia’s high seismic activity is strongly linked to its geographic location. The territory lies in the convergence zone of the Nazca, Caribbean, and South American plates, and is also influenced by the tectonic dynamics of the Pacific Ring of Fire, also known as the Pacific Fire Belt, one of the areas with the greatest seismic and volcanic activity on the planet.

Number of tremors recorded monthly

Due to this natural dynamics, Colombia registers about 2,500 earthquakes per month, which corresponds to an average of 80 seismic events daily. Most of these events have low magnitude and are not perceptible to the population, being detected and recorded by the National Seismological Network.

The role of the Pacific Fire Belt

The Pacific Fire Belt is an extensive band that encircles a large part of the Pacific Ocean over approximately 40,000 kilometers. In this region, about 90 % of the world’s earthquakes originate, and roughly 75 % of the planet’s active volcanoes are located there, according to National Geographic.

Monitoring by the National Seismological Network

The National Seismological Network maintains permanent surveillance of seismic activity throughout Colombian territory, recording each tremor and providing essential information to authorities and the public. Although it is not possible to predict exactly when a new earthquake will occur, scientific monitoring allows the identification of areas where geological faults accumulate energy, increasing the probability of future large‑magnitude quakes or aftershocks after a strong ground movement.

With information from Semana.