1 Oct 2012

7.1 earthquake shakes Colombia

8:49 am on 1 October 2012

A large earthquake has shaken Colombia, but there have been no reports of deaths or major damage.

The 7.1-magnitude quake had its epicenter in the southwestern province of Cauca with a depth of about 167 kilometres.

"So far there are no reports that there has been damage to any part of the country, only reports that it was felt," Jaime Raigosa, coordinator of the National Seismological Network, said. "Fortunately, the quake was deep."

The US Geological Survey had reported a 7.4-magnitude earthquake but then downgraded it to 7.1, Reuters reports.

The quake was felt in neighboring Ecuador but authorities reported no damage there. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said that no tsunami was expected.