Two magnitude 4.2 earthquakes struck the Colombian department (state) of Tolima 18 minutes apart on Friday 13 November 2026, sending workers out of government offices in Ibagué, the regional capital. The Colombian Geological Service (SGC) recorded them at 2:43 p.m. and 3:01 p.m. local time (19:43 and 20:01 GMT), at shallow depths under 30 kilometres.
No damage or injuries had been reported by Friday evening, and the evacuations were precautionary. The shocks matter because Ibagué is part of a region of Colombia that has felt a long run of tremors since September.
What Happened in Ibagué?
The SGC placed the epicentres in the Chaparral area of southern Tolima, at shallow depths. Shallow quakes tend to be felt more strongly in nearby towns.
Workers left the Tolima Governor’s Office and Ibagué’s City Hall as safety protocols were activated. Buildings were checked while people waited outside.
A rice field in Saldaña, in Colombia’s Tolima department. File photo. Photo: Edgar Jiménez, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsWhy Is Tolima Shaking?
Southern Tolima has been in an earthquake sequence since September, and the SGC recorded a magnitude 5.6 quake with its epicentre in Chaparral on 3 November 2026. Our report on that quake covers its aftermath.
The SGC has counted more than 1,632 tremors above magnitude 2 in the area since September. The 5.6 quake struck at 4:13 a.m. local time, about 19 kilometres deep.
Why a 4.2 Is Far Weaker Than a 5.6
Each whole step on the magnitude scale means about 32 times more energy, so the 5.6 of 3 November released roughly 126 times the energy of a 4.2. That is why Friday’s evacuations were precautions rather than responses to damage.
Two shocks within 18 minutes still keep officials cautious. Buildings must be checked before staff return.
What It Means for You
People in Ibagué and southern Tolima may feel more small tremors while the sequence continues. Official guidance comes from the SGC and the municipal emergency services.
What Is Not Known
Whether the two shocks signal a larger quake is not known, and no damage assessment has been published. No date for further official updates on the Chaparral sequence has been announced.
More: Colombia news in English, every day from The Rio Times.
Frequently Asked Questions
How strong were the Ibagué earthquakes?
Two earthquakes of magnitude 4.2 struck Tolima on Friday 13 November 2026. They were recorded at 2:43 p.m. and 3:01 p.m. local time, according to the SGC.
Was anyone hurt?
No damage or injuries had been reported as of Friday evening. Government offices were evacuated as a precaution.
Where were the epicentres?
They were in the Chaparral area of southern Tolima. Both were shallow, at depths under 30 kilometres.