While Colombia typically registers thousands of small quakes every month, Northwestern University seismologist Suzan van der Lee said the strong magnitude, an inland epicentre near soft river valleys and plate movement may have contributed to more intense damage.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis one was far below the [Earth\u2019s] crust, and in theory, it shouldn\u2019t cause as much shaking. At this magnitude, it did actually cause a lot of shaking,\u201d she said. \u201cA magnitude 7.4 is about 32 times as powerful as a magnitude 6.4.\u201d<\/p>\n
Colombia\u2019s Pacific region around the quake\u2019s epicentre lies along the \u201cRing of Fire\u201d, the line of seismic faults encircling the Pacific Ocean where most of the world\u2019s earthquakes occur. The Pacific, particularly the Choco region, is one of the poorest regions in the country.<\/p>\n
Nestled in the dense jungle, much of Choco is only reachable by boat or plane, which may pose a problem for authorities in assessing the wider toll.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Jorge Moncayo, a 64-year-old taxi driver in Cali, said he saw plumes of dust shoot up across the city as buildings collapsed. Residents and rescue workers were searching the rubble for survivors.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy entire house shook. I\u2019ve never lived through such a powerful earthquake,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019re thanking God we\u2019re alive.\u201d<\/p>\n