Inside Colombia's big quake – and why more could be coming

The 7.4 magnitude earthquake in Colombia highlights the complex seismic interactions between the Nazca, South American, and Caribbean plates, which exert significant stress on the North Andean microplate. While scientists cannot predict specific earthquakes, they can forecast annual frequency and magnitude ranges based on historical data. The depth of a rupture is a critical factor in determining surface damage; deeper events, such as the recent Colombian quake, generally result in less destruction than shallow, multi-rupture events. Earthquake geologist Rodrigo Alejandro Leon Loya emphasizes that public safety relies on robust hazard mapping and early warning systems rather than precise prediction. In the event of shaking, individuals should remain calm, hold on, and wait for the movement to subside instead of attempting to flee, as running during an earthquake significantly increases the risk of injury.