The strongest earthquake recorded in Colombia occurred on January 31, 1906, with a magnitude of 8.8. The epicenter of this earthquake was located in the coastal region of Esmeraldas, on the border between Ecuador and Colombia. This devastating seismic event not only caused severe damage on land, but also caused a tsunami that severely hit the coast of Tumaco, Colombia, with waves reaching up to five meters high.
Another significant seismic event in Colombia’s history was the 1979 Tumaco earthquake, which reached a magnitude of 8.1. This earthquake also generated a tsunami, resulting in the death of at least 454 people, in addition to leaving nearly 1,000 injured and destroying more than 3,000 homes. These events highlight the high seismic activity in the Colombian Pacific region and underline the importance of being prepared for future earthquakes.
