Why Choco Recorded 26 Earthquakes in Less Than 24 Hours
The Department of Choco in Colombia, recorded 26 earthquakes in less than 24 hours, including a cluster of stronger tremors in the municipality of Istmina on Sept. 14 that were felt across several departments. The Colombian Geological Survey, or SGC, said the activity belongs to two seismic sequences occurring simultaneously: aftershocks associated with the magnitude […]
Colombia's Choco Department experienced an alarming 26 earthquakes within a 24-hour span, including a surge of stronger tremors on September 14. Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella and Governor Nubia Carolina Cordoba discussed reconstruction efforts following the initial Aug. 10 quake.
The Colombian Geological Survey (SGC) identified two distinct seismic sequences: aftershocks from the magnitude 7.4 Aug. 10 earthquake and a separate swarm. These differ in depth, location, and behavior, dispelling the notion that the continuous seismic activity signals an imminent major quake.
The most intense tremors struck Istmina on September 14, registering a magnitude 4.9 at 3:02 p.m., with additional quakes measuring 4.1 and 4.4 minutes later. These seismic waves were felt as far away as Valle del Cauca, Risaralda, Antioquia, and Tolima, with over 2,000 reports submitted through the Sismo Sentido system by 4:30 p.m.
The SGC's analysis reveals two groups of earthquakes in Choco. The first comprises aftershocks from the Aug. 10 earthquake, primarily affecting San Jose del Palmar at depths of 70-105 kilometers. The second group, located mainly around Sipi, Istmina, Medio San Juan, and Litoral del San Juan, at depths of 30-60 kilometers, behaves more like a swarm.
This swarm, identified by the SGC, consists of over 900 earthquakes and can persist for days, weeks, or months before tapering off, without following the usual pattern of decreasing aftershocks. Despite the continuous seismic activity, the SGC emphasizes that earthquakes cannot be predicted, and a concentration of tremors does not guarantee future seismic events.
Written by urgent.news from Colombia One's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
