Country profile · USGS ComCat
Earthquakes in Colombia
Colombia has catalogued 1,738 M4+ earthquakes since 2005 (ranked 26th of 187 countries), with the strongest reaching magnitude M7.4.
Colombia ranks 26th of 187 countries by catalogued seismic activity - a highly seismically active country, averaging about 83 M4+ events a year alongside 71 significant M6+ earthquakes since 1900. Its M6+ record runs from 1907 to 2026, peaking in 1991.
- 1,738
- M4+ events (since 2005)
- 71
- Major M6+ (since 1900)
- M7.4
- Strongest
- ~83
- M4+ per year
The verdict
Colombia is more seismically active than most places tracked here, with 1,738 M4+ earthquakes logged since 2005 and 71 major M6+ events since 1900, the strongest reaching magnitude 7.4.
- 1991
- busiest year (3 major events)
- 50 km
- average recorded event depth
- 79%
- of events are shallow (<70 km, the most damaging kind)
Average catalogued magnitude is 4.5 - most events are moderate M4-5 tremors that are felt but rarely cause damage. On the M4+ activity ladder New Caledonia sits immediately above at 1,921 events and Tajikistan sits immediately below at 1,594.
USGS event tape strip
Event tape COLOMBIA · Colombia M4+ · 26th/187
Colombia · 1,738 M4+ · max M7.4 · 71 M6+
- COMCAT 1,738
- TAPE 26th/187
- EPIC M7.4
- YOY 71
- BAND near New Caledonia
- STRIP 79% shallow
Stamps derive from this country's USGS ComCat row (M4+ book, rank, peak magnitude, M6+ record, ladder neighbour, depth/peak year), not a hazard forecast. PlainQuake is informational only - not professional advice and not a substitute for official USGS guidance. See our disclaimer. Verify with USGS ComCat → · Read with methodology → · How earthquakes are measured → · Reading earthquake data → · All country catalog rows → · Countries ranked →
Observed impact record
What ComCat observed after earthquakes in Colombia
USGS recorded Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) for 51 events in this catalogued record; their average observed intensity was MMI 6.2. These are only events with an observation, not an estimate of future shaking or a safety rating.
- MMI observations
- 51
- Average observed MMI
- 6.2
- PAGER alerts / tsunami flags
- 10 / 3
Source: USGS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog (ComCat) GeoJSON impact fields. Missing MMI, alert, and tsunami values remain unreported rather than being treated as zero.
Where Colombia sits in the catalog
Rank 26th of 187 tracked countries (86th percentile by M4+ count since 2005). On the M4+ activity ladder New Caledonia sits immediately above at 1,921 events and Tajikistan sits immediately below at 1,594.
- New Caledonia - next more active (1,921 M4+)
- Tajikistan - next less active (1,594 M4+)
Colombia's M4+ count vs. every tracked country
Total catalogued M4+ events since 2005, USGS ComCat
1,738 Top 14% higher than 86% of 187 countries
Each bar is a 500-wide band; taller bars hold more countries. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source USGS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog (ComCat) · 2005-present
Major (M6+) earthquakes in Colombia by year
Count of significant (magnitude 6.0+) events catalogued each year
- 2004 1
2004: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2006 1
2006: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2007
2007: 3 major (M6+) events
3
- 2012 1
2012: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2013
2013: 2 major (M6+) events
2
- 2015 1
2015: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2016 1
2016: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2018 1
2018: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2019
2019: 2 major (M6+) events
2
- 2023 1
2023: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2025 1
2025: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2026 1
2026: 1 major (M6+) events
1
What this shows Colombia's most active year for major earthquakes was 1991 (3 M6+ events). Major-quake counts are irregular, they track the episodic release of tectonic stress, not a smooth trend.
15 of 1,738 catalogued M4+ events since 2005 reached M6.0 or higher.
Magnitude distribution of major events
Breakdown of the 71 significant (M6+) earthquakes on record for Colombia.
M7.0-7.9
8
11.3%
M6.0-6.9
63
88.7%
Depth of major earthquakes
Hypocentral depth of the 71 M6+ events, shallow quakes shake the surface hardest. Average depth: 50 km.
Shallow (<70 km)
56
78.9% of events
Intermediate (70–300 km)
14
19.7% of events
Deep (>300 km)
1
1.4% of events
Strongest earthquakes in Colombia
The 10 most powerful events on record (USGS, since 1900).
| Mag | Location | Depth | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7.4 | 5 km S of San José del Palmar, Colombia | 110.3 km | Aug 10, 2026 |
| 7.3 | 11 km WNW of San Agustín, Colombia | 170.0 km | Sep 30, 2012 |
| 7.3 | 130 km W of Puerto Nariño, Colombia | 540.0 km | Dec 18, 1921 |
| 7.2 | 32 km SSW of Pizarro, Colombia | 15.0 km | Nov 15, 2004 |
| 7.2 | 11 km NNW of Murindó, Colombia | 10.0 km | Oct 18, 1992 |
| 7.2 | 33 km NNW of Santa Genoveva de Docordó, Colombia | 21.3 km | Nov 19, 1991 |
| 7.0 | 5 km SE of Castilla La Nueva, Colombia | 15.0 km | Aug 31, 1917 |
| 7.0 | 41 km SE of Baraya, Colombia | 35.0 km | Feb 9, 1967 |
| 6.9 | 2 km NNE of Yacuanquer, Colombia | 145.0 km | Feb 9, 2013 |
| 6.8 | 39 km WNW of Timbiquí, Colombia | 15.0 km | Sep 10, 2007 |
Significant earthquake record (71 events)
Every catalogued magnitude-6.0-and-above earthquake in Colombia since 1900, most recent first.
| Mag | Location | Depth | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7.4 | 5 km S of San José del Palmar, Colombia | 110.3 km | Aug 10, 2026 |
| 6.3 | 15 km NE of Paratebueno, Colombia | 9.0 km | Jun 8, 2025 |
| 6.1 | 10 km E of El Calvario, Colombia | 10.0 km | Aug 17, 2023 |
| 6.0 | 1 km NE of Lejanías, Colombia | 11.0 km | Dec 24, 2019 |
| 6.1 | 3 km WSW of Versalles, Colombia | 122.0 km | Mar 23, 2019 |
| 6.0 | 36 km SE of Mountain, Colombia | 10.0 km | Nov 25, 2018 |
| 6.0 | 32 km ENE of Mutatá, Colombia | 18.0 km | Sep 14, 2016 |
| 6.2 | 2 km NNW of Cepitá, Colombia | 155.0 km | Mar 10, 2015 |
| 6.7 | 101 km WSW of Bahía Solano, Colombia | 12.0 km | Aug 13, 2013 |
| 6.9 | 2 km NNE of Yacuanquer, Colombia | 145.0 km | Feb 9, 2013 |
| 7.3 | 11 km WNW of San Agustín, Colombia | 170.0 km | Sep 30, 2012 |
| 6.8 | 39 km WNW of Timbiquí, Colombia | 15.0 km | Sep 10, 2007 |
| 6.2 | 130 km WNW of Santa Genoveva de Docordó, Colombia | 7.0 km | Mar 18, 2007 |
| 6.0 | 133 km WNW of Santa Genoveva de Docordó, Colombia | 10.0 km | Mar 17, 2007 |
| 6.2 | 26 km S of Juradó, Colombia | 14.0 km | Jan 23, 2006 |
| 7.2 | 32 km SSW of Pizarro, Colombia | 15.0 km | Nov 15, 2004 |
| 6.0 | 44 km W of Pizarro, Colombia | 33.0 km | Nov 5, 2003 |
| 6.5 | 10 km SW of Juradó, Colombia | 17.0 km | Nov 8, 2000 |
| 6.1 | Near Armenia, Colombia | 17.0 km | Jan 25, 1999 |
| 6.4 | 22 km WSW of Roncesvalles, Colombia | 177.5 km | Dec 11, 1997 |
| 6.8 | 24 km SW of Roncesvalles, Colombia | 198.7 km | Sep 2, 1997 |
| 6.3 | 33 km WSW of Riosucio, Colombia | 14.0 km | Nov 4, 1996 |
| 6.2 | 84 km WNW of Salahonda, Colombia | 10.0 km | Apr 27, 1996 |
| 6.6 | 7 km WSW of Neira, Colombia | 119.6 km | Aug 19, 1995 |
| 6.4 | 24 km NW of Darien, Colombia | 73.5 km | Feb 8, 1995 |
| 6.5 | 16 km ESE of Páez, Colombia | 17.3 km | Jan 19, 1995 |
| 6.2 | 206 km WSW of Bahía Solano, Colombia | 33.0 km | Sep 27, 1994 |
| 6.1 | 17 km ENE of Murindó, Colombia | 13.6 km | Sep 13, 1994 |
| 6.8 | 23 km E of Toribío, Colombia | 12.1 km | Jun 6, 1994 |
| 6.1 | 24 km NNW of Puerto Rondón, Colombia | 20.3 km | Jul 22, 1993 |
| 7.2 | 11 km NNW of Murindó, Colombia | 10.0 km | Oct 18, 1992 |
| 6.7 | 15 km S of Murindó, Colombia | 14.3 km | Oct 17, 1992 |
| 7.2 | 33 km NNW of Santa Genoveva de Docordó, Colombia | 21.3 km | Nov 19, 1991 |
| 6.2 | 133 km WNW of Salahonda, Colombia | 23.7 km | Apr 24, 1991 |
| 6.3 | 44 km WSW of Juradó, Colombia | 32.9 km | Apr 4, 1991 |
| 6.1 | 7 km N of Salento, Colombia | 144.6 km | Nov 23, 1990 |
| 6.0 | 179 km WSW of Bahía Solano, Colombia | 10.0 km | Jan 13, 1987 |
| 6.4 | 4 km N of El Cairo, Colombia | 108.0 km | Nov 23, 1979 |
| 6.4 | 18 km ENE of Mutatá, Colombia | 33.0 km | Aug 31, 1977 |
| 6.5 | 12 km N of Juradó, Colombia | 36.0 km | Jan 25, 1975 |
| 6.3 | 60 km N of Puerto Colombia, Colombia | 10.0 km | Nov 9, 1974 |
| 6.5 | 86 km W of Pizarro, Colombia | 50.0 km | Apr 24, 1973 |
| 6.2 | 3 km ENE of Filandia, Colombia | 158.0 km | Apr 3, 1973 |
| 6.6 | 19 km N of Bahía Solano, Colombia | 10.0 km | Sep 27, 1970 |
| 6.5 | 9 km NW of Bahía Solano, Colombia | 9.4 km | Sep 26, 1970 |
| 6.8 | 6 km NNW of Aratoca, Colombia | 161.2 km | Jul 29, 1967 |
| 7.0 | 41 km SE of Baraya, Colombia | 35.0 km | Feb 9, 1967 |
| 6.5 | 25 km ESE of Tadó, Colombia | 64.0 km | Jul 30, 1962 |
| 6.3 | 38 km SE of Juradó, Colombia | 15.0 km | Sep 19, 1960 |
| 6.1 | 8 km NW of Dagua, Colombia | 52.3 km | May 24, 1957 |
| 6.6 | 15 km S of Cubará, Colombia | 25.0 km | Apr 21, 1957 |
| 6.5 | 18 km E of Cubará, Colombia | 28.2 km | Apr 19, 1952 |
| 6.1 | 11 km WSW of Nuquí, Colombia | 15.0 km | Dec 6, 1951 |
| 6.4 | 110 km SW of Juradó, Colombia | 15.0 km | Mar 17, 1945 |
| 6.3 | 6 km SSE of Palmito, Colombia | 15.0 km | Dec 26, 1942 |
| 6.3 | 84 km WNW of Mosquera, Colombia | 25.0 km | Dec 24, 1935 |
| 6.1 | 12 km WNW of Santuario, Colombia | 15.0 km | Sep 18, 1935 |
| 6.0 | 135 km E of Mountain, Colombia | 15.0 km | Feb 1, 1930 |
| 6.7 | 76 km SSW of San Andrés, Colombia | 25.0 km | Mar 17, 1926 |
| 6.1 | 167 km WNW of Mosquera, Colombia | 15.0 km | Oct 18, 1924 |
| 6.4 | 14 km NNE of Juradó, Colombia | 20.0 km | Jul 6, 1924 |
| 6.4 | 14 km S of Gachalá, Colombia | 15.0 km | Dec 22, 1923 |
| 7.3 | 130 km W of Puerto Nariño, Colombia | 540.0 km | Dec 18, 1921 |
| 6.3 | 88 km E of Uribia, Colombia | 15.0 km | Nov 13, 1921 |
| 6.3 | 47 km NNE of Timbiquí, Colombia | 35.0 km | Jan 30, 1920 |
| 7.0 | 5 km SE of Castilla La Nueva, Colombia | 15.0 km | Aug 31, 1917 |
| 6.4 | 8 km SSW of Cubarral, Colombia | 15.0 km | Aug 30, 1917 |
| 6.5 | 148 km W of Pizarro, Colombia | 15.0 km | Apr 20, 1914 |
| 6.2 | 97 km E of San Andrés, Colombia | 15.0 km | Jul 25, 1913 |
| 6.4 | 43 km E of El Bagre, Colombia | 70.0 km | Apr 10, 1911 |
| 6.5 | 37 km SSW of La Tola, Colombia | 35.0 km | Jun 5, 1907 |
Other countries in this catalog sample
A Colombia-keyed shuffle of the full 186-country roster, not the six nearest by count.
Peak-magnitude sample from the same roster
A second Colombia-keyed shuffle of countries with a recorded max magnitude.
Showing 6 of 186 countries with a recorded max magnitude.
According to the US Geological Survey Earthquake Hazards Program, PlainQuake's figures are rendered directly from 317,293 recorded M4+ earthquakes and 14,444 significant M6+ events (USGS ComCat, 2005-present) -- no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2026-08-26.