Observations from the 2026 M7.4 San José del Palmar, Colombia Earthquake

Observations from the 2026 M7.4 San José del Palmar, Colombia Earthquake

Title history
  • Observations from the 2026 M7.4 San José del Palmar, Colombia Earthquake — observed on 20261025-1449 UTC (YouTube)

by Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) and Colombian Earthquake Engineering Research Network (CEER) · View the channel on PSI

Applied Sciences & Engineering Engineering & Technology TNCStructural engineeringTNCEEarthquake engineering
🎙 Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) and Colombian Earthquake Engineering Research Network (CEER) 👥 118K 📅 October 23, 2026 ⏱ 100 min 👁 232 📄 science communication 🧭 2026-10-25
Available in: English (current) Français

Keywords

earthquakereconnaissancestructural damagesite responsebuilding codes

Summary

This webinar from the EERI Learning from Earthquakes Program presents observations from the August 10, 2026 M7.4 San José del Palmar, Colombia earthquake. The program includes an introduction to EERI’s response efforts, followed by several presentations from engineers of the Colombian Earthquake Engineering Research Network (CEER). The first speaker, Albert Ortiz, discusses damage to small towns near the epicenter, focusing on traditional non-engineered construction, including roof failures, slope-related issues, fragual systems, and topographical effects. Bayron Salazar then presents a site response analysis in Cali, correlating building collapses with soil zones and spectral accelerations, highlighting that Zone 4C had 72% of collapses due to soft soils and long fundamental periods. Carlos Blandón follows with a discussion of non-ductile hillside buildings in Manizales, and Orlando Arroyo presents responses in Pereira and thin RC wall buildings. The presentations emphasize the importance of seismic hazard considerations, building code evolution, and the vulnerability of non-engineered structures. A Q&A session concludes the webinar.

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Critical Evaluation

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The value of the information lies in the firsthand field observations and data collected after a significant earthquake. The presenters provide quantitative data, such as PGA values, site period ranges, and collapse distributions, which are valuable for future seismic design and risk assessment. The argumentation is solid, as each speaker systematically analyzes the observed damage patterns and relates them to construction practices, code provisions, and site conditions. However, the analyses are preliminary and rely on limited reconnaissance data, with no detailed statistical validation presented. The speakers clearly state the context and limitations, making the arguments credible.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The rigor is generally high, with experts referencing specific code versions and USGS data. The sources include official seismic code documents and station records, but no external papers are cited. The title is appropriate and matches the content. The webinar is well-structured, with clear presentation of data and observations. However, the lack of peer review and the preliminary nature of the findings mean the information should be considered as expert opinion. No comments were provided for analysis.

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Title / Content Match

The title accurately describes the content, which consists of observations and findings from reconnaissance after the earthquake.

Quality & Reliability

8/10

The webinar features presentations by university professors and practicing engineers with relevant expertise, presenting field observations and analyses from the earthquake reconnaissance. The content is technical and appears credible, though it is a preliminary briefing rather than a peer-reviewed publication.

Chapters

Cited Sources

Contribution & Novelties

The webinar provides novel reconnaissance data and insights into the performance of different building typologies under a deep subduction earthquake. It highlights the vulnerability of non-engineered construction in small towns and the significant site effects in Cali. The analysis of code evolution and drift limits offers context for interpreting damage patterns.

Pour aller plus loin :

  • Earthquake engineering — Directly relevant to the overall topic and the behaviour of structures under seismic loads.
  • Seismic hazard — Relevant to the discussion of subduction earthquakes and hazard assessment in Colombia.
  • Building code — Helps understand the evolution of Colombian seismic design provisions and their impact on construction practices.

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Radar Profile

The profile shows high quantitative content and technical depth, with moderate reliability due to the preliminary nature of the findings. The balance indicates a technically strong presentation that is still limited by potential biases in reconnaissance data.

Reliability 7/10