2013 Nariño earthquake

2013 Colombia Earthquake

Date	February 9, 2013 (2014-02-09)
Magnitude	6.9 Mw[1]
Epicenter	1°04′N 77°14′W / 1.07°N 77.24°W / 1.07; -77.24
Countries or regions	Colombia  Ecuador  Peru
Total damage	258 homes destroyed
Casualties	37 injured[2]

The 2013 Nariño earthquake was an earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Richter Scale hit Colombia at 9:16 a.m. on 9 February 2013. The epicenter was found to be near the town of Yacuanquer, 7 miles from the city of Pasto in the Nariño department of Southwestern Colombia. The Earthquake affected 17 Municipios and the neighbouring country of Ecuador.^[2]

Cause

The region, along with most of Andean South America is known for it's seismic activity. This particular earthquake is the result of the destructive plate boundary between the oceanic Nazca Plate and continental South American Plate.

Effects

Despite the large magnitude of the earthquake, only 37 people have been reported to be injured with over 258 homes damaged.^[3] The low severity is due to the depth of the quake at 77 miles below the surface.^[4]

Contrary to Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos's statement claiming material damage was 'marginal',^[5] emergency services were quick to the scene, reporting 8 injuries and structural damage in the Nariño department.

The quake could be felt as far as Colombia's capital Bogotá (340 miles away) and the neighbouring nations of Ecuador and Peru.^[6]

References