According to the Servicio Geológico Colombiano (SGC), a 2.5-magnitude earthquake struck the municipality of Frontino in western Antioquia on Tuesday afternoon, registering precisely at 3:59 p.m. at a shallow depth of less than 30 kilometers.
The seismic event occurred in a region bordering Uramita, Dabeiba, Abriaquí, and Urrao, with territorial connections reaching small parts of Vigía del Fuerte and Murindó. This sector of western Antioquia sits adjacent to the department of Chocó, where an earlier 7.4-magnitude earthquake left more than 188 dead and 1,677 injured across the country. Prior to the Frontino tremor, San José del Palmar in Chocó recorded a 3.8-magnitude earthquake at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday at a 99-kilometer depth, followed by more than 50 aftershocks across the broader affected zone.
Did You Know? Frontino shares territorial borders with Uramita, Dabeiba, Abriaquí, and Urrao, in addition to having territorial connections with small parts of Vigía del Fuerte and Murindó.
Safety Protocols and Official Guidance During Tremors
Following the seismic activity, authorities recommend that citizens maintain calm, breathe deeply, and seek safe indoor locations rather than running in panic. People must avoid using elevators and stay away from windows, mirrors, bookshelves, lamps, and tall furniture that could fall and cause injury. Official safety instructions also advise against lighting cigarettes, candles, or operating electrical switches, while urging the public to avoid sharing unverified information.
Rescue operations continue as crews search for individuals trapped under rubble in an effort to bring survivors to safety, according to the government of Abelardo de la Espriella. While emergency response efforts press forward, disaster risk management consultant Jaime Enrique Gómez Zapata (Kike) explained to EL COLOMBIANO that natural phenomena such as earthquakes and tremors cannot be predicted. Gómez Zapata also noted that while the terms temblor and terremoto both refer to seismic movements, common usage generally distinguishes them based on structural damage to buildings, churches, and monuments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was the epicenter of Tuesday’s tremor in Antioquia?
The epicenter of the tremor was located in the municipality of Frontino, in western Antioquia, according to the Servicio Geológico Colombiano (SGC).
What was the magnitude and timing of the Frontino earthquake?
The tremor registered a magnitude of 2.5 and occurred at 3:59 in the afternoon, featuring a shallow depth of less than 30 kilometers.
Which municipalities neighbor Frontino in Antioquia?
Frontino borders Uramita, Dabeiba, Abriaquí, and Urrao, and maintains territorial connections with small parts of Vigía del Fuerte and Murindó.
How are local communities in western Antioquia responding to the ongoing seismic aftershocks and rescue operations?
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