Magnitude 6.9 Mw Areas affected Colombia, Ecuador Max. intensity V (Moderate) | Depth 145 km (90 mi) Total damage 1,896 homes damaged | |
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Date February 9, 2013 (2017-02-09) | ||
The 2013 Nariño earthquake measured 6.9 on the moment magnitude scale and hit Colombia at 14:16:07 UTC on February 9. The epicenter was found to be near the town of Yacuanquer and 11 km from the city of Pasto, Nariño department in southwestern Colombia. Forty-six municipalities in 22 departments were affected in southwestern and central Colombia and the neighboring country of Ecuador.
Contents
Cause
The region, along with most of Andean South America is known for its seismic activity. This particular earthquake was the result of the destructive plate boundary between the oceanic Nazca Plate and continental South American Plate.
Effects
Despite the large magnitude, only 15 people have been reported to be injured with over a thousand homes damaged. In a preliminary statement, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos described the damage as "marginal". The low severity is attributed to the earthquake's depth, 145 km below the surface. Emergency services responded quickly, reporting injuries and structural damage in the departments Nariño and Cauca. Shaking could be felt as far as Colombia's capital Bogotá (545 km away) and in the neighboring nation of Ecuador.