Colombia: Magnitude-4.9 earthquake occurs near Bucaramanga Dec. 16

Event

A magnitude-4.9 earthquake occurred in Santander Department in northern Colombia at around 1832 COT Dec. 16. The epicenter was about 34 km (21 miles) southeast of Bucaramanga, Colombia, and 134 km (83 miles) southwest of San Cristobal, Venezuela. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 151 km (94 miles). Weak-to-light shaking was experienced in multiple Colombian cities, including Bogota, Bucaramanga, Cucuta, and Manizales, as well as parts of western Venezuela. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Aftershocks are possible.

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.