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On 10 August, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia, with its epicentre in San José del Palmar, in the department of Chocó. At a depth of 103km, it was the largest-magnitude earthquake recorded in Colombia this century. Its effects were felt across much of the country and in neighbouring countries, with several Colombian departments, including Quindío, affected.
In the aftermath of a major earthquake, rapidly assessing the condition of buildings and infrastructure is an essential part of the emergency response. These inspections help authorities identify potential risks, understand the extent of the damage and determine where further investigation or intervention may be needed.
Engineering expertise can also make a difference beyond our projects. This mission showed how quickly specialist skills can be mobilised to give communities and public authorities the reliable information they need to make urgent decisions and begin the recovery process.
Oscar Andrés Rico, SYSTRA Colombia Country Manager
Following the earthquake, the Colombian Society of Engineers (SCI) mobilised technical teams across the affected regions to support the assessment of buildings and infrastructure, identify additional risks and provide technical recommendations to guide recovery efforts.
The contribution also extended beyond structural engineering. SYSTRA made its Geographic Information Systems (GIS) expertise and tools available to the municipalities’ Unified Command Posts, known locally as Puestos de Mando Unificado (PMUs). By helping teams collect and organise information on reported damage, these tools supported a clearer and more efficient overview of conditions on the ground.
The mission combined the work of specialists deployed in Quindío with remote support from other SYSTRA Ibérica & Hispanoamérica colleagues. It was carried out to support the municipalities of Calarcá and Montenegro, the Calarcá Chamber of Commerce and the Quindío chapter of the Colombian Society of Engineers.
