Observations from the 2026 M7.4 San José del Palmar, Colombia Earthquake Reconnaissance Briefing Webinar

On Thursday, October 22, 2026 the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) Learning from Earthquakes (LFE) Program co-hosted a reconnaissance briefing webinar with the Colombian Earthquake Engineering Research Network (CEER). In the webinar, CEER members presented preliminary observations and findings from their reconnaissance in Colombia. The reconnaissance team surveyed damage in Cali, Manizales, Pereira, and nearby municipalities affected by the August 10 Mw 7.4 earthquake that struck near San José del Palmar.

The webinar included the following presentations from CEER team members:

• Brief Overview of the Colombia Earthquake event – Orlando Arroyo
• Site Response in the City of Cali and its Effects on Building Damage – Bayron Salazar
• The Response of Small Towns to the San José del Palmar Earthquake: Reflections on Damage to Tradition Non-Engineering Construction – Albert Ortiz
• The Response of Non-Ductile Hillside Buildings in Manizales – Carlos Blandón
• Response of Buildings in Pereira: Reminders and Lessons for Code Development – Orlando Arroyo
• Response of Thin RC Wall Buildings – Orlando Arroyo

A recording of the webinar is available on EERI’s YouTube Channel.