Magnitude 7.4 earthquake shakes Colombia and sparks debate over terminology

On the morning of August 10, 2026, at 7:34 a.m., a strong magnitude‑7.4 earthquake shook Colombia. The epicenter was located in the Chocó department, and the tremor was felt in several cities, including Bogotá, Medellín, Pereira, Armenia, Cali and Manizales. So far, authorities have recorded 132 fatal victims.

The 7.4 earthquake and its geographic extent

The seismic movement originating in Chocó reached different regions of the country, causing vibration sensations in capital cities and large municipalities. The Colombian Geological Service (SGC) confirmed the magnitude and noted that events of this size are part of the natural process of releasing energy accumulated within the Earth.

What “seismic event” means

In technical terminology, “seismic event” is the generic term for any ground movement caused by a rapid release of energy accumulated inside the planet. This definition covers all telic manifestations, regardless of the severity of effects or the recorded magnitude.

Difference between earthquake and tremor

According to the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE), “earthquake” describes the violent shaking of the Earth’s crust and mantle, caused by internal forces. The concept also includes a sudden ground displacement due to the movement of underground rocks. In contrast, “tremor” refers to light movements that cause little or no material damage.

How classification varies between countries

Although the terms are similar, classification can change depending on the national context. For example, in Taiwan, a magnitude‑6.5 movement was classified as an earthquake, while in Colombia the same intensity would be considered a tremor. In the Colombian case, the impact in terms of casualties and damage led to its classification as an earthquake.

Impacts and casualties

Authorities confirm that the magnitude‑7.4 earthquake resulted in 132 deaths. There is no additional information on material damage yet, but the number of victims already indicates the severity of the event within Colombian territory.

With information from El Colombiano.