Thai agency traces Colombia quake to Nazca Plate subduction
What caused Colombia’s magnitude 7.4 earthquake? Thailand’s geological authorities point to the Nazca Plate subducting beneath the South American Plate.
- Thailand’s Department of Mineral Resources attributed a magnitude 7.4 earthquake in western Colombia to the movement of tectonic plates.
- The agency identified the specific cause as subduction, where the Nazca Plate slides beneath the South American Plate.
- The major earthquake occurred at a depth of 110.3 kilometers, with its epicenter located in western Colombia.
Thailand’s Department of Mineral Resources has attributed the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck western Colombia on Monday (August 10) to the movement of the Nazca Plate beneath the South American Plate.
The department’s Geohazard Operation Centre reported that the earthquake occurred at 7.34pm Thailand time. The disaster has left at least 132 people dead and more than 570 injured, according to the latest casualty figures.
Nazca Plate movement identified as cause
The centre said the earthquake was caused by subduction, where the Nazca Plate slides beneath the South American Plate. It described the magnitude 7.4 quake as a major event and said it occurred at a depth of 110.3 kilometres.
The epicentre was in western Colombia, about five kilometres south of San José del Palmar in Chocó Department, at around 4.844°N, 76.242°W.
Death toll reaches at least 132
The earthquake has killed at least 132 people and injured more than 570. Around 1,600 homes, hotels and other buildings were reported damaged, including at least 61 structures that collapsed completely.
Colombian authorities launched an emergency response and rushed aid to affected communities. Tremors were felt beyond Colombia, including in neighbouring Venezuela.
