Colombia: Magnitude-5.1 offshore earthquake occurs off central coast Dec. 7.

Event

A magnitude-5.1 offshore earthquake occurred off the coast of central Colombia, at around 2222 COT Dec. 7. The epicenter was about 24 km (15 miles) south southwest of Pizarro. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 35km (22 miles), and light shaking was probably felt throughout Choco and Valle del Cauca departments, including Buenaventura and Cali. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Aftershocks are possible over the coming days.

Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter. The event has not prompted any tsunami advisories.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides. Out of an abundance of caution, consider moving away from low-lying coastal areas until local authorities determine that no local tsunami threat exists.