What the record shows for Colombia
The strongest earthquake on record near Colombia is a magnitude 7.4 in 2026, centred 4 km SSW of San José del Palmar, Colombia. The event is catalogued by USGS. See the event record.
Over the last 20 years, USGS has catalogued 1,180 earthquakes of magnitude 4 or greater within 389 km of Colombia - roughly 59 a year. That rate describes how often the ground moves enough to be recorded, not how often damage occurs; most of these are never felt.
The NOAA NCEI database records 1 tsunami within 389 km of Colombia (most recently 1942). The most significant was in 1942 near Colombia, triggered by an M5.8 earthquake.
11 volcanoes are catalogued near Colombia, including Tolima, Nevado del, Ruiz, Nevado del, Bravo, Cerro, Machin, Santa Isabel, Romeral and 5 more. Volcanic systems generate their own earthquake swarms, which is why activity here can look different from a purely tectonic region.
Sources: USGS earthquake catalog, NOAA tsunami database, and the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. Figures update as the catalogs are revised.
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Colombia lies where the Nazca, Caribbean and South American plates meet, producing frequent seismic activity.
The only real protection is a warning the moment the ground moves - which is exactly what the free QuakeMate app gives you, along with tsunami and volcano alerts for Colombia.
Earthquake risk in Colombia - FAQ
Is Colombia at risk of earthquakes?
Yes. On average about 59 quakes a year nearby of magnitude 4+ within 389 km, based on the last 20 years of USGS data. The strongest earthquake on record nearby is M7.4 in 2026.
What was the biggest earthquake in Colombia?
The strongest earthquake on record near Colombia is M7.4, in 2026 (4 km SSW of San José del Palmar, Colombia), from USGS.
Does Colombia get tsunamis?
Yes - 1 tsunami since 1942 (most recently 1942) within 389 km, from the NOAA database.
How do I get earthquake warnings in Colombia?
Download the free QuakeMate app for iPhone. It watches your location and sends a real-time push the instant a quake strikes nearby, plus tsunami and volcano alerts, with custom magnitude and distance rules. On Android, join the waitlist.