Moderate M 5.0 Earthquake Strikes Near Arboledas, Colombia

What Happened

A moderate magnitude 5.0 (mb) earthquake occurred on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 10:12:50 UTC (05:12:50 local time in Colombia). The seismic event was centered approximately 4 km south-southeast of Arboledas, Colombia, according to data from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

Location Details

The earthquake’s epicenter was located at coordinates 7.6028°N and 72.7801°W. The event originated at a depth of 190.1 km. In seismological terms, this is classified as a deep earthquake, as it occurred well below the 70 km threshold. Deep earthquakes are typically felt over a wide area but generally cause less intense shaking at the surface than shallow earthquakes of the same magnitude.

Impact Assessment

There is currently no tsunami advisory, watch, or warning in effect for this event. No felt reports were submitted to the USGS at the time of this report, and no specific alert level color has been assigned to the event. There are no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

What You Should Know

A magnitude 5.0 earthquake is considered a moderate event. While earthquakes in the 5.0-5.9 range can cause damage to poorly constructed buildings, the significant depth of 190 km likely mitigated the impact at the surface. Residents in the region should remain aware that aftershocks are a possibility following seismic activity of this magnitude.

Source

Information provided by the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program.