On Friday Night a Shallow M5.6 Earthquake struck in the North Pacific Ocean 223km from Medellín (Colombia).

Written by Earthquakelist.org on January 10th, 2025.

A shallow and significant MAG-5.6 earthquake struck in the North Pacific Ocean 223 kilometer from Medellín, Colombia deep in the night of Friday January 10th, 2025. Shaking may have been felt by a total of 2.1 million people.

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Earthquake Summary

This earthquake hit under water in the North Pacific Ocean, right off the coast of Colombia (11 mi offshore), 223 kilometer west of Medellín in Antioquia. The center of this earthquake had a very shallow depth of 16 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.

Date and Time:	Jan 10, 2025 03:14AM (Bogota Time) - Jan 10, 2025 08:14 Universal Time.
Location:	223 km west of Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia. Coordinates 6°0'56"N 77°34'8"W.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 5.6 Detected by 36 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.052 .
Depth:	16 km (10 mi) A very shallow depth.
Max. Intensity:	V Moderate On the Modified Mercalli Scale.
Tsunami Risk:	Low tsunami risk Earthquakes under MAG-6.5 do not usually cause tsunami's. Always stay cautious - More info here.

Minimal impact predicted

Based on scientific estimates by the US Geographic Survey (USGS), the risk of high fatalities for this earthquake is classified at level GREEN (low). They expect an 65% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 fatalities, and a 96% chance that the number of fatalities falls no higher than 10.

The USGS classifies the economic impact of this earthquake at level GREEN (low). They expect an 65% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 million US Dollars in economic damage and impact, and a 96% chance that the economic impact of this earthquake falls no higher than 10 million USD.

Roughly 2.1 million people exposed to shaking

An estimated 2.1 million have been exposed to shaking (An MMI or Modified Mercalli Intensity level II or higher) as a result of this earthquake according scientific estimates published by the USGS.

Light shaking and likely no damage may have been experienced by an estimated 64,630 people. At IV, it is the highest MMI level this earthquake has caused. The majority of people (roughly 1.1 million) live in an area exposed to level III, where weak shaking and probably no damage is expected.

People in 2 countries have been exposed to shaking. Roughly 2.1 million people were exposed to shaking in Colombia , with level IV (light shaking, likely no damage) as the highest recorded. Shaking was experienced by inhabitants of Panama too.

Nearby towns and cities

This earthquake may have been felt in Colombia . The closest significant population center near the earthquake is Quibdó in Chocó, Colombia. Quibdó is located 107 kilometer (66 mi) west-northwest of the epicenter. Quibdó experienced an earthquake intensity (MMI Scale) of roughly III. That level implies weak shaking and probably no damage.

Multiple large cities are in proximity of today's earthquake. Medellín is located 223 km to the east (intensity unknown, possibly low). Pereira is located 247 km to the east-southeast (intensity unknown, possibly low). Bello is located 225 km to the east (intensity unknown, possibly low).

A complete list of nearby places is included below. Estimated intensity data (MMI) sourced from a shake-map published by the US Geographic Survey is shown where available (cities without data probably experienced little impact).

Overview of nearby places

Earthquake Intensity Map

The maximum intensity (MMI Scale) caused by this earthquake is V. The map below shows in which areas this earthquake was the most and least impactful. It is based on data from the US Geographic Survey.

I Not felt

II Weak

III Weak

IV Light

V Moderate

VI Strong

VII Very Strong

VIII Severe

IX Violent

X Extreme

Risk of aftershocks?

This earthquake did not have any significant foreshocks nor aftershocks occurring within 100km (62 mi) of its epicenter.

Earthquakes can create aftershocks. These are generally at least 1 magnitude lower than any main shock, and as time passes the chance and strength of aftershocks decreases.

The chance that a significant earthquake like this one is followed by an even larger earthquake is not so large. On average, scientists estimate a 94% chance that a major earthquake will not be followed by an even larger one. It is still adviced to be aware of this risk

Earthquakes like this are common in the region

Earthquakes of this strength occur quite regularly in the region. This is the strongest earthquake to hit since August 27th, 2023, when a 5.7 magnitude earthquake hit 123 km (77 mi) further south-east. An even stronger magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck on March 23rd, 2019.

In total, 5 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.6 or higher have been registered within 300km (186 mi) of this epicenter in the past 10 years. This comes down to an average of once every 2 years.

Low tsunami risk

Based on early data it appears this earthquake was not strong enough (lower than MAG-6.5) to be likely to cause destructive tsunami's. However this earthquake appeared to have hit at a shallow depth under sea, so stay cautious and monitor advice from local authorities.

Tsunami Risk Factors

Sources

Last updated 10/01/25 15:08 (). This article contains currently available information about the earthquake and is automatically composed. We continue to update this article up to a few days after the earthquake occurred.

1. US Geographic Society (USGS): Earthquake us6000pj4s
2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20250110_0000107
3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
4. Google Maps: Static API
5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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