Colombia: Magnitude-5.1 earthquake occurs near Medellin, Antioquia Department, at around 1757 March 1

Event

A magnitude-5.1 earthquake occurred near Medellin in northwestern Colombia at around 1757 COT March 1. The epicenter was about 65 km (40 miles) west of Medellin. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 10 km (6 miles), and light-tomoderate shaking was probably felt across northwestern Colombia, including Antioquia, Caldas, Choco, Risaralda, Quindio departments. 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.

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.