The magnitude 5.6 earthquake of November 3, 2026 had its epicenter in Chaparral, Tolima, less than 30 km deep, and was felt across much of the country. After a shake like this it is worth checking the building: diagonal cracks in walls, damage to columns or beams and doors that no longer close justify calling an engineer. A fine crack in the plaster is usually only in the finish, though an inspection confirms that.
Do you have doubts about your building after the earthquake? Message us on WhatsApp and an engineer will reply. See how the assessment works.
The earthquake
It happened at 4:13 a.m., 17 km from Roncesvalles, according to the Colombian Geological Survey bulletin reported by El Tiempo. By 9:00 a.m. the National Seismological Network had identified seven aftershocks of magnitude 2.1 to 3.5, and reports from people who felt it came mainly from Bogotá (1,271), Cali (652), Ibagué (367) and Armenia (241), according to Infobae. It is part of the sequence that began in Chaparral on September 20, with more than 1,600 tremors above magnitude 2.
Preliminary reports that morning mentioned one person injured by a falling wall inside a home in Chaparral, damage to eight homes there and two in Ibagué according to the Civil Defense, and badly affected houses according to the Chaparral mayor's office. Ibagué moved its public schools to online classes while it inspected the buildings. In Cali, the city government reported no risk situations in the first hours.
Why can a moderate earthquake cause damage?
A shallow earthquake concentrates the shaking near the epicenter, which is why southern Tolima was the worst-affected area. As a general rule, the most vulnerable buildings are those of bahareque (wattle and daub), unconfined masonry and those that were already damaged. That last point matters this year: a structure hurt by the August 10 earthquake has less reserve against a smaller one. For houses, the NSR-10 calls for confined walls and tie columns for precisely this reason.
What should you check first?
- Diagonal or X-shaped cracks in walls.
- Cracks, spalled concrete or exposed steel in columns and beams, especially near their ends.
- Doors and windows that no longer close, and floors left sloping.
- Facade walls, gable walls, parapets and elevated tanks that have shifted.
- Pounding against the neighboring building at the joints, and damage to stairs.
- Cracks in the ground next to the building.
If you see damage to columns or beams, or a wall that could fall, leave the building, do not go back in, and alert your municipal risk management office or the 123 emergency line. The technical review comes afterwards.
What does the NSR-10 say?
Chaparral is in a high seismic hazard zone, with Aa = 0.25 and Av = 0.20; so is Cali, with Aa = 0.25 and Av = 0.25. Chapter A.10 of the NSR-10 covers existing buildings, including the repair of buildings damaged by earthquakes (A.10.1.3.6). See what the code asks of existing buildings and what a seismic vulnerability study is.
DDES assesses buildings after an earthquake throughout Colombia: it separates structural damage from damage to finishes and delivers a report on what needs to be done.
Frequently asked questions
Where was the November 3, 2026 earthquake?
The epicenter was Chaparral, Tolima, 17 km from Roncesvalles. It had magnitude 5.6 and a depth of less than 30 km, at 4:13 a.m., according to the Colombian Geological Survey.
When is a crack serious after an earthquake?
The concern is diagonal cracks in walls, cracks in columns and beams, cracks that grow, and cracks that come with doors that will not close or sloping floors. A fine, stable crack in the plaster is usually only cosmetic, but an inspection confirms that.
Who checks my house after an earthquake?
If there is immediate risk, alert your municipal risk management office. To know what is wrong with the structure and how to repair it, you need an assessment by a structural engineer, with a report.
