Colombia rocked by 7.4 magnitude earthquake, tremors felt near Venezuela border

The earthquake occurred at 12:34 UTC, or around 7:34 am (local time), about 5 km east of San Jose del Palmar in Colombia's Choco department, the USGS said. It was recorded at a depth of about 107 km.A strong earthquake struck Colombia on Monday, with the US Geological Survey (USGS) initially measuring the tremor at magnitude 7.4.The earthquake occurred at 12:34 UTC, or around 7:34 am (local time), about 5 km east of San Jose del Palmar in Colombia's Choco department, the USGS said. It was recorded at a depth of about 107 km.The tremor was felt in several parts of Colombia, including areas far from the epicentre. Early reports also indicated shaking was felt beyond Colombia, including towards the Venezuela border.Colombia is one of South America's most seismically active countries. Its location near several tectonic plate boundaries and major fault systems means earthquakes can occur across different parts of the country. The Colombian Geological Service says the country has recorded more than 100 destructive earthquakes, particularly in the Andean region, the eastern foothills of the Eastern Cordillera and the Pacific region. The country has experienced several powerful earthquakes in the past. One of the most destructive was the magnitude 8 earthquake near Tumaco in southwestern Colombia in 1979. This is a developing story. It will be updated. - EndsPublished On: Aug 10, 2026 18:26 IST