On the morning of October 9, 2025, the ground trembled once again in northern South America. As reported by the Servicio Geológico Colombiano (SGC), a magnitude 2.0 earthquake struck near Becerril, Cesar, Colombia at 12:45 p.m. local time, with its shallow depth recorded at less than 70 kilometers. This was not an isolated event. In fact, several other seismic occurrences were registered across Colombia that same day: a 2.2 magnitude quake in Purificación, Tolima; a 2.1 magnitude event in Cimitarra, Santander; and a 2.3 magnitude tremor in Lebrija, Santander, which notably originated at a depth of 135 kilometers. Less than an hour before the SGC’s latest report, Los Santos, Santander, experienced a more noticeable magnitude 3.8 earthquake, underscoring the region’s persistent seismic activity.
According to the SGC, Colombia’s restless earth is no surprise. The country is perched at the convergence of three major tectonic plates: the South American, Nazca, and Caribbean plates. This unique geographic situation, as the SGC explains, is the root cause of Colombia's high seismicity. It’s a fact of life for millions, and the country’s seismic monitoring infrastructure reflects that reality. The SGC operates an impressive 339 seismic stations throughout Colombia, with 206 stations covering the national territory and 133 dedicated to monitoring the nation’s active volcanoes. These are observed around the clock from three specialized volcanological and seismological observatories.
But Colombia is not alone in its geological predicament. Just across the border, Peru faces similar challenges. On October 8, 2025, the Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP) reported a magnitude 4.1 earthquake near Pastaza, in the province of Datem del Marañón, Loreto department. The quake struck at 8:43 p.m. local time, originating 74 kilometers west of Pastaza at a depth of 114 kilometers. Its alert level was classified as green—reserved for earthquakes below 4.4 magnitude—suggesting a relatively low risk for major damage or injury. The IGP uses a nationwide network of velocity, acceleration, and displacement sensors to monitor such events, providing rapid data to authorities and the public alike.
Peru’s seismic woes are deeply tied to its location within the notorious Pacific Ring of Fire, a 40,000-kilometer horseshoe-shaped belt that hosts 75% of the world’s volcanoes and about 80% of the most powerful earthquakes globally. The South American tectonic plate’s collision with the Nazca plate generates immense tension, which is periodically released as earthquakes and fuels the region’s frequent volcanic activity. The Ring of Fire doesn’t just affect Peru—it stretches from the southern Andes through Chile, Ecuador, Colombia, Central America, and up through North America before circling the Pacific to Asia and Oceania.
Chile, too, is no stranger to seismic drama. The Centro Sismológico Nacional (CSN) in Chile is tasked with monitoring seismic events in real time, using three distinct seismic networks to analyze the magnitude, epicenter, and soil responses to earthquakes. According to the CSN, magnitude is a measure of the energy released by an earthquake—essentially, the quake’s size, regardless of its depth. Intensity, on the other hand, refers to the impact felt by people, buildings, and the land, varying with proximity to the epicenter, the nature of the terrain, and the quality of construction. These distinctions are crucial for understanding why some quakes cause devastation while others pass with little notice.
Emergency preparedness is a recurring theme across these nations. The SGC and its counterparts in Peru and Chile emphasize the importance of readiness. In Colombia, citizens are urged to keep emergency phone numbers at hand—123 for general emergencies, 112 for the National Police, 119 for firefighters, and several others for specialized assistance. Similar advice prevails in Chile, where numbers like 130 for Conaf, 131 for ambulances, and 132 for firefighters are widely promoted. Both countries, along with Peru, recommend assembling an emergency backpack. The essentials? Hygiene products, first aid kits, non-perishable food, water, communication devices, flashlights, batteries, radios, clothing, and specific items for infants, women, and the elderly. Chile’s Servicio Nacional de Prevención y Respuesta ante Desastres (Senapred) even suggests including a whistle and a notebook of emergency contacts.
Safety protocols during an earthquake are universally emphasized. The SGC advises moving to established safety zones, staying away from glass and objects that could fall, and—crucially—not using elevators, as these can become death traps if power fails or the structure is compromised. Calmness is key; panic can lead to dangerous decisions. If driving, stop the vehicle safely; if inside a building, take the stairs rather than the elevator. Special attention should be given to children, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
Despite the sophistication of seismic monitoring, the science of earthquake prediction remains elusive. As the SGC candidly states, "there is currently no reliable technique for forecasting earthquakes anywhere in the world, and we are still far from achieving it." While scientists can identify zones with a high probability of seismic events, the precise timing remains a mystery. This uncertainty only reinforces the importance of preparedness and public education.
The history of seismic disasters in the region is sobering. Colombia’s most powerful recorded earthquake dates back to January 31, 1906—a staggering magnitude 8.8 event off the Pacific coast near Esmeraldas, Ecuador, and Tumaco, Colombia. Peru, too, has endured devastating quakes, including the 1970 Áncash earthquake and avalanche that claimed an estimated 67,000 lives, and the 2007 Pisco earthquake, which killed nearly 600 people. These tragedies serve as stark reminders of the stakes involved.
In the face of such threats, the public’s understanding of seismic terminology is more than academic. In Latin America, terms like "temblor," "terremoto," "sismo," and "movimiento telúrico" are often used interchangeably. However, "temblor" usually refers to milder, less destructive events, while "terremoto" is reserved for those that cause significant damage or casualties. Regardless of the label, the need for vigilance remains the same.
As the earth continues to shift beneath their feet, the people of Colombia, Peru, and Chile rely on a combination of cutting-edge science, historical memory, and practical preparedness to navigate a landscape shaped by geological forces beyond human control. The lesson is clear: while earthquakes cannot be predicted, resilience can be built—one emergency kit, one safety drill, and one informed citizen at a time.
