A 4.7 magnitude earthquake hit Colombia Thursday morning, causing unrest but leaving no immediate reports of damages or injuries.
The epicenter of the earthquake took place 18 kilometers from the municipality of Carmen de Atrato, situated in the Pacific Choco province and was felt in Medellin and the country’s coffee region.
The depth of the earthquake was reported as 31km (19 miles) while the nearest city to the epicenter was Quibdo, located some 34 miles away.
No casualties have been reported so far, although aid teams have been deployed near the epicenter of the earthquake to conduct a sweep of the area and see if assistance is necessary.
While speaking with El Colombiano, an engineer from Choco’s Support Committee of Risk Management indicated that there has been no structural damage to the region as a consequence of the earthquake.
“We have already communicated with the coordinator of the Committee of Risk Management in El Carmen de Atrato, and he explained to us that the situation in the town center is normal,” the engineer said.
Earthquake monitors picked up multiple tremors in Medellín. There were also numerous witness reports of pronounced shakes, especially from those living in apartment blocks, some of which were partially evacuated.
According to the National Seismic Network, the tremors were said to be more prolonged in Colombia’s coffee triangle.
Colombia is a seismically active country with a large potential for damage owing to its mountainous terrain and location along the Pacific Ocean “ring of fire.”
