On June 19, 2026, Colombia experienced a series of three earthquakes within a span of less than an hour during the early morning hours. According to reports from the Colombian Geological Service (SGC), these seismic events occurred between 6:02 a.m. and 7:17 a.m. The tremors were recorded in two different regions of the country—Santander and Antioquia—with magnitudes ranging from 2.6 to 3.4. These movements were detected by the SGC’s seismic monitoring network, which continuously monitors geological activity across the national territory.
The first earthquake was registered at 6:02 a.m. Its epicenter was located in the municipality of El Playón, Santander, specifically at coordinates 7.49° latitude and -73.18° longitude. This event had a magnitude of 3.4 and a depth of 136 kilometers. Such depth typically indicates that the quake originated from deeper layers of the Earth's crust. Nearby municipalities affected by this movement included El Playón, La Esperanza, and Rionegro, all within a radius of about 25 kilometers from the epicenter. Despite its relatively high magnitude, there were no reports of damage or emergencies associated with this event.
Approximately one hour later, at 7:06 a.m., another earthquake struck, this time in the municipality of Murindó, Antioquia. This event had a lower magnitude of 2.8 and was classified as a shallow earthquake, occurring at a depth of less than 30 kilometers. The epicenter was located at 6.76° latitude and -76.73° longitude. The closest towns to the epicenter were Murindó, Vigía del Fuerte, and Bojayá, each within a distance of around 27 kilometers. Shallow quakes are more likely to cause surface damage compared to deeper ones, but again, no significant damage was reported following this event.
The third and final tremor of the day occurred at 7:17 a.m. in the municipality of Los Santos, Santander. This earthquake had a magnitude of 2.6 and a depth of 152 kilometers. The epicenter was located at 6.81° latitude and -73.04° longitude. Nearby communities such as Los Santos, Cepitá, and Jordán were within approximately 10 kilometers of the epicenter. It is worth noting that the area surrounding Los Santos is known for frequent seismic activity, with occurrences of varying magnitudes and depths.
The SGC has categorized earthquakes into three types based on their depth: superficial (less than 30 km), intermediate (between 30 and 120 km), and deep (more than 120 km). Superficial earthquakes are more likely to cause damage due to their proximity to the surface. In contrast, deeper quakes tend to have less impact on the surface despite their higher magnitudes. The SGC emphasizes the importance of preparedness and awareness among the population regarding seismic risks.
In addition to the events of June 19, previous days also saw notable seismic activity. On June 15, 2026, the SGC reported two earthquakes with magnitudes of 3.4 and 3.0 respectively, both centered in Los Santos, Santander. These events occurred at depths of 156 and 152 kilometers, respectively. Similarly, on June 14, a magnitude 3.5 earthquake was recorded near the Pacific Ocean, 269 kilometers off the coast of Bajo Baudó, Chocó. This quake was also classified as a shallow event, indicating a potential for greater surface effects, although no material damage was reported.
The SGC continues to monitor seismic activity across the country and provides guidelines for public safety during such events. Recommendations include maintaining calm, seeking shelter under sturdy furniture or near structural supports, avoiding windows and objects that could fall, and preparing emergency kits containing essentials like water, flashlights, radios, non-perishable food, and identification documents. Additionally, individuals are advised to evacuate promptly and carefully, assessing their surroundings for potential hazards before moving to safer areas.
Residents are encouraged to activate seismic alerts through applications like Google's ShakeAlert system, which uses a network of sensors to detect earthquakes and send warnings to users via their mobile devices. This technology helps provide timely information that can aid in reducing the risk of injury or property damage during seismic events.
The SGC remains vigilant in its role as the primary authority responsible for monitoring and reporting seismic activities throughout Colombia. Given the country's geographical location, Colombia lies in a zone of high seismicity, making earthquakes relatively common occurrences. As such, ongoing efforts focus on enhancing public awareness and readiness to mitigate the impacts of future seismic events.
5 reports
El TiempoIndependentCenterFactual 95Objective 9019 days agoThe Colombian Geological Service reported three earthquakes recorded in the early morning of Friday, June 19, 2026. The tremors occurred between 6:02 a.m. and 7:17 a.m., with epicenters in Santander and Antioquia. Their magnitudes ranged from 2.6 to 3.4, and their depths varied, with the first earthquake occurring at a depth of 136 kilometers.
Bias read (Center): The article provides factual information about seismic activity without any political commentary, framing, or bias. It focuses solely on the technical details of the earthquakes as reported by an official source.
Why these scores (Factual 95 · Objective 90): Accurate with detailed seismic data and locations. The article provides precise information on the tremors and their characteristics. It maintains a neutral tone throughout, presenting facts without bias.
El TiempoIndependentCenterFactual 90Objective 9023 days ago Follow-up of earthquakes in Colombia today June 15: SGC delivered details of two earthquakes recorded with less than an hour differenceOn June 15, 2026, the Colombian Geological Service (SGC) reported two earthquakes with magnitudes of 3.4 and 3.0, both centered in Los Santos, Santander. The first occurred at 11:15 AM with an epicenter 6 kilometers from the town center, at coordinates 6.80 latitude and -73.09 longitude, with a depth of 156 kilometers. The second earthquake happened at 11:50 AM. The SGC has issued at least three bulletins related to seismic activity in the past 24 hours.
Bias read (Center): The article provides factual information about seismic events without any political commentary, framing, or biased language. It focuses solely on the details provided by the SGC, including magnitudes, locations, and times of the earthquakes.
Why these scores (Factual 90 · Objective 90): The article provides factual information on the earthquakes and their effects. It maintains a neutral tone while explaining scientific concepts, making it both factual and objective.
SemanaIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 9024 days agoThe Colombian Geological Service (SGC) reported an earthquake with a magnitude of 3.5 that occurred at 2:34 AM on Sunday, June 14, 2026. The epicenter was located in the Pacific Ocean, 269 kilometers off the coast of Bajo Baudó, Chocó. No material damage has been reported so far by rescue organizations at the local and departmental levels. The SGC emphasized that Colombia is in a highly seismic zone due to its geographical location, making earthquakes relatively common. The agency also provided guidelines on how to behave during an earthquake, recommending staying calm to ensure a safer and更有效
Bias read (Center): The article provides factual information about an earthquake without any political commentary or biased language. It focuses on the geological event itself, including details such as the time, location, magnitude, and lack of damage. The content is neutral and informative.
Why these scores (Factual 85 · Objective 90): The article accurately reports the earthquake details from the SGC, including time, magnitude, and location. It provides practical advice without bias. The mention of Colombia’s seismic activity is factual and contextual.
El TiempoIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 9025 days ago Earthquake today in Colombia | Seismic activity during the early hours of Sunday, June 14: epicenter, magnitude, and depthThe Colombian Geological Service provided details about the seismic activity that occurred during the early hours of Sunday, June 14.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a natural event with no political implications. It focuses on providing factual information about an earthquake without any apparent ideological framing or bias.
Why these scores (Factual 85 · Objective 90): The article accurately reports the earthquake details from the SGC, including magnitude, time, and location. It provides factual information based on official sources. The inclusion of practical advice on activating Google’s ShakeAlert adds value without bias.
SemanaIndependentCenterFactual 80Objective 9023 days ago Earthquake in Colombia: Magnitude 3.4 quake shook the country this Monday, June 15; here was the epicenterThe Colombian Geological Service (SGC) reported an earthquake with a magnitude of 3.4 that occurred at 11:15 AM on June 15 in Los Santos, Santander. The quake had a depth of 156 kilometers and did not cause any reported material damage. The SGC emphasized that earthquakes are relatively common in Colombia due to its geographical location. The article also included advice on how to react during an earthquake, such as staying calm and seeking shelter under sturdy furniture.
Bias read (Center): The article provides factual information about an earthquake without taking a stance or showing bias. It reports on the event based on official sources like the SGC and includes general safety recommendations. There is no indication of ideological framing or emphasis on particular political aspects.
Why these scores (Factual 80 · Objective 90): The article contains factual information but has an error in date (2026). It accurately reports the seismic data from SGC. The content is neutral and informative, maintaining good objectivity despite the minor factual inconsistency.
★
Keep the news honest.
ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €5/month.
Become a Supporter
CO
