Earthquakes in Colombia and Venezuela: geological.

Although both occurred on the South American plate, tectonic dynamics and depth were decisive

On August 10, 2026, a magnitude‑7.4 quake shook Colombia, causing severe damage in several regions. Weeks earlier, strong tremors had struck Venezuela, but with distinct characteristics. Both events occurred on the same large plate, the South American one.

Location and magnitude of the Colombian earthquake

The Colombian earthquake was recorded with magnitude 7.4 and its epicenter was in San José del Palmar, in the department of Chocó. The most affected areas included Risaralda, Chocó, Valle del Cauca, Caldas and Quindío, especially the city of Pereira, where authorities reported dozens of collapsed buildings and fatal victims.

Subduction mechanism in Colombia

According to geologist Gustavo Ortiz, the movement that caused the earthquake in Colombia is linked to the subduction process. In this case, the Nazca plate, located in the Pacific Ocean, dives beneath the South American plate, generating intense seismic activity along the continent's western margin.

Depth and plates involved in Venezuela

The quakes that impacted Venezuela occurred at less than 20 kilometres depth, much shallower than the Colombian event, which originated more than 100 kilometres below the surface. In Venezuela, the interaction was between the South American plate and the Caribbean plate, resulting in a lateral movement, without subduction.

Impacts in the Colombian regions

Beyond the collapsed structures, the Colombian earthquake caused interruptions to roads, airports, energy services and telecommunications in several areas. Local authorities reported significant material damage, especially in San José del Palmar, identified as the epicenter.

How tectonics explains the differences

The difference in depth and the type of interaction between the tectonic plates explain why two seismic events in neighboring countries can present such distinct characteristics. While subduction in Colombia produces deep earthquakes, the lateral movement between plates in Venezuela generates shallow tremors, reflecting the complex geotectonic dynamics of the region.

With information from El Colombiano.