A small earthquake measuring 2.6 on the Richter scale shook midwest Colombia Sunday while the volcano Cerro Machin remained on a yellow allert.
The earthquake itself wasn’t cause for concern, however the shallow depth of the earthquake, at 12.3km below the surface, could pose a risk. Colombia’s Departmental Council for Risk Management reported that the epicenter of the earthquake was around the area of the Cerro Machin volcano.
Although this is little compared to the magnitude 7.3 earthquake to hit the same area on September 30, the authorities are urging people to remain on alert amidst fears of Cerro Machin, considered one of the most dangerous volcano in Colombia, due to the large population density surrounding the volcano’s flanks, becoming increasingly active since the year 2000.
The last time Cerro Machin last erupted was around 850 years ago and is considered dormant due to the length of time between each of its last 5 eruptions, estimated around every 1,000 years, however due to high activity in the area authorities remain on a “yellow alert.”