Powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake rocks Colombia, leaving dozens dead and millions shaken

A powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, killing dozens of people, damaging buildings across multiple cities, and shaking millions despite originating 68 miles beneath the Earth’s surface. Here’s why this deep earthquake was still capable of causing widespread destruction.

Major damage was reported in Pereira, Cali, Manizales, Quibdó and Buenaventura, where buildings partially or completely collapsed, roads were damaged, and rescue teams rushed to search for survivors trapped beneath the rubble.

A powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, killing at least 50 people, injuring hundreds more, and reducing buildings to rubble across parts of the country. While the earthquake originated 110 kilometers (68 miles) beneath the Earth’s surface, it was still strong enough to shake millions of people, proving that depth alone doesn’t eliminate the risk of a major disaster.

A powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake causes damage in #Pereira and #Manizales, Colombia. pic.twitter.com/sSWyNCOAei

— Meteored (@meteoredcom) August 10, 2026

Preliminary estimates from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) show that around 10.5 million people experienced Strong to Very Strong shaking, with the agency warning of a high probability of widespread damage and casualties. Rescue teams continue searching damaged buildings, while seismologists say the region should be prepared for additional aftershocks, some capable of producing strong shaking.

Why this earthquake happened

Western Colombia lies along one of the world’s most active tectonic boundaries, where the Nazca Plate is constantly moving eastward beneath the South American Plate. But this earthquake wasn’t generated where those two plates meet.

Instead, scientists say it occurred inside the

Original Record.

This archived record authored by ‘Dainet Sierra’ at ‘METEORED (Your Weather)’ was recovered from data set:

https://www.yourweather.co.uk/news/trending/powerful-magnitude-7-4-earthquake-rocks-colombia-leaving-dozens-dead-and-millions-shaken.html