How frequent are earthquakes in Colombia?

Colombia has a moderate level of seismic activity. Based on data from the past 25 years and our earthquake archive back to 1900, there are about 13,000 quakes on average per year in Colombia. However, Colombia has had at least 2 quakes above magnitude 8 since 1900, which suggests that larger earthquakes of this size occur infrequently, probably on average approximately every 60 to 65 years.

How many earthquakes occur every year in Colombia?

On average, Colombia has about 486 quakes of magnitude 3 or higher per year (Mag 4+: 129 quakes per year, Mag 5+: 8 quakes per year).

Volcanoes of Colombia (23)

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Colombia has 15 volcanoes considered active. The volcanoes are related to the subduction zone that runs along the whole of America's western plate margin. Colombia's volcanoes are part of the northern Andes and lie at the junction of 3 tectonic plates, the Nazca, Caribbean and South American plates.

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Significant volcanic eruptions: Colombia

In historic times, at least 8 volcanoes have been active in Colombia, including Puracé, Nevado del Ruiz, and Galeras volcanoes. A total of 81 eruptions have been witnessed and documented since around 1535 AD.
The table below lists the most recent volcanic eruptions, significant eruptive episodes or related events in Colombia since 1900.

Date	Volcano	VEI	Region	Deaths	Damage
2014 Nov 18 - ongoing	Nevado del Ruiz Arenas crater	2	Colombia
2023 Nov 16	Puracé	1	Colombia
2022 Mar 29	Puracé Between Puracé and Curiquinga	1	Colombia
2012 May 13 - 2014 Jan 30 ±1 d.	Galeras Summit crater	2	Colombia
2012 Feb 22 - 2013 Jul 12 ?	Nevado del Ruiz Arenas Crater	3	Colombia
2008 Oct 26 ? - 2012 Jan 14 ?	Nevado del Huila Upper SW side of Pico Central	3?	Colombia
2010 Aug 25	Galeras Central cone	1	Colombia
2008 Oct 21 ? - 2010 Jan 2 ?	Galeras	3	Colombia
2008 Nov 20 (eruptive episode 2008 Nov 20 - Nov 23)	Nevado del Huila	0	Colombia	10		Info
2008 Nov 20: At least 10 Indians died, another 10 were injured and several are missing or trapped after the eruption of the Nevado del Huila volcano Thursday (Nov 20, 2008) night, government officials confirmed Saturday. Interior and Justice Minister Fabio Valencia Cossio told reporters that the first report of the eruption said that "10 people died" and that it has been impossible to establish "whether there have been other tragic events." The official said that the natural phenomenon chiefly affected the indigenous reservations located between the municipalities of Inza and Balalcazar. The authorities have been unable to reach the highest parts of the volcano - located 285 kilometers (177 miles) southwest of Bogota - because bad weather has kept helicopters carrying supplies out of the area and the roads were obliterated by avalanches that occurred at the time of Thursday night's eruption. The eruption of the Nevado del Huila volcano on Thursday night formed a crater approximately 400 meters (1,300 feet) in diameter on one of the peaks of this mountain range in southwestern Colombia. The volcano is located in the central Andean range of Colombia, in a region where the provinces of Huila, Tolima and Cauca come together. The Bellavista stream, a tributary of the Paez River, was covered by the avalanche sparked by the interaction of the emerging hot lava with the layer of glacial ice. Cited references #4033 National Association of Radio-Distress Signaling and Infocommunications, Havaria Emergency and Disaster and Information Service (2008): National Association of Radio-Distress Signaling and Infocommunications (RSOE), Havaria Emergency and Disaster Information Services (EDIS), Budapest, Hungary retrieved August 16, 2007 from http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/woalert_read.php?lang=eng&cid=19302 Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
2008 Jan 2 - Apr 16 ±15 d.	Nevado del Huila	2?	Colombia
2007 Oct 4 - 2008 Jan 17	Galeras	3?	Colombia
2007 Feb 19 - May 28 ?	Nevado del Huila	3?	Colombia
2007 Apr 18 (eruption 2007 Feb 19 - May 28 ?)	Nevado del Huila	0	Colombia		moderate	Info
2007 Apr 18: The long-dormant Nevado del Huila volcano erupted provoking avalanches and floods that swept away houses and bridges and prompted thousands to evacuate. The volcano's eruption at 22:37 April 17 was its first on record since Colombia was colonized by the Spanish 500 years ago. A second eruption occurred at 02:57 on April 18. An extensive evaluation of needs and damages is still ongoing. However, preliminary results show that the most severe material damages resulting from the eruption, are localized in the municipality of Paez Belalcazar, in Cauca Department. In Huila department, the other area under the influence of the volcano, only damages of irrigation systems, crops and livestock have been reported. The avalanche destroyed 15 bridges and damaged the main road network. Cited references #2683 United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, OCHA-Online (2007): Colombia: Nevado del Huila volcanic eruption OCHA Situation Report No. 3. http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/SHES-72FKVV?OpenDocument&rc=2&emid=VO-2007-000048-COL Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
2005 Nov 24 - 2006 Jul 12	Galeras	2	Colombia
2004 Jul 16 - 2005 Feb 7 ?	Galeras El Pinta vent	3	Colombia
2002 Jun 7	Galeras El Pinta vent	1?	Colombia
2000 Mar 21 - May 18	Galeras	1	Colombia
1993 Jan 14 - Jun 7	Galeras Summit crater, west, SW, & south rims	2	Colombia
1993 Jan 14 (eruption 1993 Jan 14 - Jun 7)	Galeras	2	Colombia	9		Info
1993 Jan 14: A sudden explosion killed 9 persons, including 6 volcanologists who were in (and on the rim of) the inner crater. Cited references #1412 Simkin, Tom, and Lee Siebert with the collaboration of Russell Blong, Jonathan Dehn, Christopher Newhall, Roland Pool, and Thomas C. Stein (1994): Volcanoes of the World, Second Edition, A Regional Directory, Gazetteer, and Chronology of Volcanism During the Last 10,000 Years, Geoscience Press, Inc., Tucson, Arizona, in association with Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program, Washington, D.C., p. 164-176. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1990 Jan 7 - 1992 Jul 16	Galeras	2	Colombia
1985 Sep 11 - 1991 Jul 13	Nevado del Ruiz Arenas Crater	3	Colombia
1989 Feb 19 - May 9	Galeras El Pinta vent	2	Colombia
1985 Nov 13 (eruption 1985 Sep 11 - 1991 Jul 13)	Nevado del Ruiz	3	Colombia	23,080		Info
1985 Nov 13: Death tolls uncertain with most estimates in the range 23-26,000. This figure from Perison et al., quoting office of Colombian President. Katsui et al. indicate 24,270 including 21,000 of the 29,000 inhabitants of Armero. Naranjo et al. suggest approximately 1,000 died in Chinchina. About 10,000 injured, 5,200 requiring medical attention. Cited references #1412 Simkin, Tom, and Lee Siebert with the collaboration of Russell Blong, Jonathan Dehn, Christopher Newhall, Roland Pool, and Thomas C. Stein (1994): Volcanoes of the World, Second Edition, A Regional Directory, Gazetteer, and Chronology of Volcanism During the Last 10,000 Years, Geoscience Press, Inc., Tucson, Arizona, in association with Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program, Washington, D.C., p. 164-176. #1650 Katsui, Y., Takahashi, H., Egashira, S., Kawachi, S., and Watanabe, H. (1986): The 1985 eruption of Nevado del Ruiz volcano and associated mudflow disaster: Rep. Natur. Disast. Sci. Res., B-60-7, p. 1-102. [in Japanese] #1659 Naranjo, J.L., Sigurdsson, H., Carey, S., and Fritz, W.J. (1986): The November 13, 1985 eruption of Nevado del Ruiz volcano, Colombia: Tephra Fall and Lahars. Science, vol. 233, p. 961-963. #1663 Pierson, T.C., Janda R.J., Thouret J-C., Borrero C.A. (1990): Perturbation and melting of snow and ice by the 13 November 1985 eruption of Nevado del Ruiz, Colombia, and consequent mobilization, flow and deposition of lahars. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, vol. 41, p. 17-66. DOI:10.1016/0377-0273(90)90082-Q #1669 Smithsonian Institution (1975-1989): Smithsonian Institution-SEAN, 1975-89. [Monthly event reports]. Bull Scientific Event Alert Network (SEAN), v 1-14 #9675 Siebert, Lee, Tom Simkin, Paul Kimberly (2010): Fatalities & Evacuations, Volcanoes of the World, Third Edition, Geoscience Press, Inc., University of California Press, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., p. 329-347. #10953 Siebert, Lee, Tom Simkin, Paul Kimberly (2010): Volcanoes of the World, Third Edition, Geoscience Press, Inc., University of California Press, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., 551 p. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1984 Dec 22 - 1985 Mar 19 ?	Nevado del Ruiz Arenas Crater	1	Colombia
1974 Jul 2 ±182 d. - 1983 Jul 2 ±182 d.	Galeras	1?	Colombia
1977 Mar 19 - Mar 28 ?	Puracé	2	Colombia
1957 Jul 2 ±182 d.	Puracé	2?	Colombia
1956 or before	Puracé	2	Colombia
1950 Jan 12 - Sep 5	Galeras	2	Colombia
1949 May 26 - Jun 11	Puracé	2	Colombia
1949 May 26 (eruption 1949 May 26 - Jun 11)	Puracé	2	Colombia	17		Info
1949 May 26: University students killed by block ejection as they attempted to reach the summit. Cited references #1412 Simkin, Tom, and Lee Siebert with the collaboration of Russell Blong, Jonathan Dehn, Christopher Newhall, Roland Pool, and Thomas C. Stein (1994): Volcanoes of the World, Second Edition, A Regional Directory, Gazetteer, and Chronology of Volcanism During the Last 10,000 Years, Geoscience Press, Inc., Tucson, Arizona, in association with Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program, Washington, D.C., p. 164-176. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1947 Apr 27	Puracé	2	Colombia
1946 Mar - Apr	Puracé	2	Colombia
1943 Mar	Nevado del Tolima	2	Colombia
1936 Feb 9 - Aug 27 ?	Galeras	2	Colombia
1936 Aug 14 (eruptive episode 1936 Aug 14)	Doña Juana	0	Colombia	18		Info
1936 Aug 14: A landslide occurred on August 14, 1936 on the 5 kilometer side of the Dona Juana volcano, located a short distance northeast of Pasto. The earth covered several lakes and blocked the channel of one of the sources of the Juanambu. The amount of mud and dirt was so great that the river was stopped for several hours. The dirty waters rose 40 meters above a beautiful suspension bridge; its cables broke and its towers gave way to the impetus of the uncontainable waters, among which some 18 were drowned. (reference #1118) Note: No eruption Cited references #1118 Ramirez, Jesus Emilio, S.J. (1975): Historia de los Terremotos en Colombia. Instituto Geografico Agustin Codazzi. Subdireccion de Investigaciones y Divulgacion Geografica, Republica de Colombia, Second Edition, 218 p. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1936 Jul 17	Cerro Negro de Mayasquer Volcano Uncertain: possibly Reventador	2	Colombia / Ecuador
1932 Oct 10	Galeras	2	Colombia
1926 Dec 20 - Dec 21	Cumbal	2	Colombia
1927	Puracé	2	Colombia
1924 Oct - 1927	Galeras	3	Colombia
1926 Aug - Sep	Puracé	2	Colombia
1925 Oct 12 - Nov 5	Puracé	2	Colombia
1923 Dec 8	Galeras	2	Colombia
1924	Puracé	2	Colombia
1916	Nevado del Ruiz	2	Colombia
1906	Puracé	2	Colombia
1897 Nov 1 - 1906	Doña Juana	4	Colombia
1902 ?	Puracé	2	Colombia
1899 Nov 13 (eruption 1897 Nov 1 - 1906)	Doña Juana	4	Colombia	55		Info
1899 Nov 13: 50-60 killed by burns from blocks and ash from hot avalanches. 200-300 animals also killed. Cited references #1412 Simkin, Tom, and Lee Siebert with the collaboration of Russell Blong, Jonathan Dehn, Christopher Newhall, Roland Pool, and Thomas C. Stein (1994): Volcanoes of the World, Second Edition, A Regional Directory, Gazetteer, and Chronology of Volcanism During the Last 10,000 Years, Geoscience Press, Inc., Tucson, Arizona, in association with Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program, Washington, D.C., p. 164-176. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K

Remark:

Our list of volcanic eruptions closely follows the database of eruptions of the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Project (GVP), the internationally most recognized data source for volcanic eruptions, but also includes significant eruptive episodes or related volcano events. "Volcanic eruptions" are usually to be understood as sequences of individual eruptive episodes that can follow each other, or even overlap (if several vents are involved), and can last many years, decades or even longer. For example, the current activity of Stromboli volcano is understood as a single eruption that has been ongoing since 1934.

Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K | Global Volcanism Project / Smithsonian Institution

Colombia FAQ

+When was the last volcanic eruption in Colombia?

The last volcanic eruption in Colombia was from Puracé volcano in 2023.

+When was the first documented volcanic eruption in Colombia?

The first historically documented eruption occurred around 1535 AD from Galeras volcano.

+How often do volcanoes in Colombia erupt?

Since 1535 AD, Colombia has seen at least 81 historically documented eruptions. This means that a volcano erupts on average every 6 years.

+How active are the volcanoes in Colombia?

Colombia is volcanically very active: Since 1900, at least 8 volcanoes in Colombia have been active.Since 1900, Colombia has had 43 volcanic eruptions from 8 individual volcanoes. Volcanic eruptions have been recorded erupted during 66 years out of 126 as of now. This means, at least one volcano in Colombia has been in eruption in one in 1.9 years on average. The last volcano to erupt in Colombia was Puracé volcano, which erupted in 2023, 2 years ago.

+When was the largest volcanic eruption in Colombia?

The largest eruption in Colombia in historic times was from Doña Juana volcano. It occurred during 1897 - 1906. It ranks as a sub-plinian eruption with a magnitude 4 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale.

Latest earthquakes: Colombia

In the past 7 days, Colombia was shaken by 3 quakes of magnitude 4.0 or above, 19 quakes between 3.0 and 4.0, and 150 quakes between 2.0 and 3.0. There were also 287 quakes below magnitude 2.0 which people don't normally feel.

A Magnitude 3.6 earthquake occurred in Departamento de Casanare, Colombia .

Magnitude 3.6 Earthquake Departamento de Casanare, Colombia -

Date and Time	Mag / Depth	Nearest Volcano / Location
Oct 31, 10:54 pm (Bogota)	3.6 32 km	326 km (203 mi) E of San Diego	38 km north of Villanueva, Departamento de Casanare, Colombia I FELT IT	Info
Friday, October 31, 2025 GMT (1 quake)
Oct 31, 09:41 am (Bogota)	3.5 147 km	234 km (145 mi) NE of San Diego	Los Santos - Santander, Colombia I FELT IT	Info
Thursday, October 30, 2025 GMT (1 quake)
Oct 30, 09:22 am (Bogota)	4.0 145 km	231 km (144 mi) NE of San Diego	Los Santos - Santander, Colombia I FELT IT	Info
Tuesday, October 28, 2025 GMT (1 quake)
Oct 28, 12:44 pm (Bogota)	3.7 29 km	283 km (176 mi) NW of Romeral	Carmen Del Darién (Curbaradó) - Chocó, Colombia I FELT IT	Info
Monday, October 27, 2025 GMT (1 quake)
Oct 27, 08:49 am (Caracas)	4.4 0 km	715 km (444 mi) NE of San Diego	Cerca De La Costa De Venezuela I FELT IT	Info
Sunday, October 26, 2025 GMT (1 quake)
Oct 26, 12:23 pm (GMT -5)	4.4 246 km	276 km (171 mi) NW of Cumbal	North Pacific Ocean, 117 km west of Isla Gorgona Island, Colombia I FELT IT - 1 report	Info
Saturday, October 25, 2025 GMT (1 quake)
Oct 25, 04:57 am (Bogota)	3.6 23 km	53 km (33 mi) SE of Galeras	Santiago - Putumayo, Colombia - Area De Influencia Campo Monogenetico Guamez-Sibundoy I FELT IT	Info

See Recent Quakes

Significant Earthquakes in Colombia since 1900

The deadliest earthquake in Colombia since 1900 was the magnitude 6.2 earthquake in

Colombia, Quindio Department on Jan, 25, 1999. It resulted in 1,185 fatalities and 4,750 injured people. This was the most disastrous quake in Colombia ever recorded. This was also the most damaging earthquake that occurred in this time: total economic losses were estimated to the equivalent of $1.9 billion US Dollars. More than 1,000 houses and other buildings were destroyed and an unknown number damaged.

Date	Mag	Region	Deaths	Damage
1999 Jan 25	6.2	Armenia, Calarca, Pereira, Caldas, Huila	1,185	catastrophic	Info
1995 Feb 8	6.4	Cali, Pereira, Armenia, Calarca	45	heavy	Info
1994 Jun 6	6.8	Cauca, Huila	650	light	Info
1992 Oct 18	7.4	Murindo, Apartado, Medellin	11	moderate	Info
1983 Mar 31	4.9	Sw, Popayan	350	very heavy	Info
1981 Oct 18	5.4	Venezuela-n Colombia	15	moderate	Info
1979 Dec 12	8.1	Off Shore, Pacific Ocean	600	moderate	Info
1979 Nov 23	6.4	Manizales-armenia	72	heavy	Info
1967 Jul 29	6.8	Colombia	20	light	Info
1967 Feb 9	7.0	Huila, Neiva, Rivera, San Antonio	98	heavy	Info
1962 Jul 30	6.8	Mistrato, Manizales	47	heavy	Info
1961 Dec 20	6.8	Eje Cafetero	23	moderate	Info
1958 Feb 1	6.9	Colombia-ecuador	1-50 (*)	heavy	Info
1950 Jul 9	6.1	Anboledas	300	heavy	Info
1936 Jan 9	5.6	Colombia	250	moderate	Info
1923 Dec 14	6.2	Ipiales	300	moderate	Info

(*) Estimated numbers

Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K

All Quakes in History

Map

Oldest quakes (until 1960) are shown in yellow, most recent (from 2000) in red.

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Significant Earthquakes in Colombia FAQ

+Which was the deadliest earthquake in Colombia since 1900?

The deadliest earthquake in Colombia since 1900 was the magnitude 6.2 earthquake in Colombia, Quindio Department on Jan, 25, 1999. It resulted in 1,185 fatalities and 4,750 injured people. This was the most disastrous quake in Colombia ever recorded.