OFFICIAL
Earthquake
Colombia
On 10 August 2026, an official report from the Colombian Geological Service provided information on a powerful earthquake affecting the country. According to the report, the seismic event struck at 7:34 a.m., with its epicenter located in San José del Palmar, Chocó, registering a magnitude of 7.4 at a depth of approximately 103 kilometers, making it the strongest earthquake recorded in Colombia in the last decade. Authorities reported that the earthquake was widely felt across several regions of the country and in neighboring countries, including Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama. Two aftershocks of magnitudes 2.8 and 4.8 were subsequently recorded, with the latter also widely felt. Additional impacts included reports of damage in several areas, including Manizales and Armenia, with the extent of the damage continuing to be verified by the competent authorities. Information available from: Servicio Geológico Colombiano.
UNOFFICIAL
Severe Weather
Brazil - Update
On 9 August 2026, a media report informed that the Civil Defense of Rio Grande do Sul provided information on a severe storm system affecting a significant portion of the state. According to the report, a line of instability associated with a cold front resulted in the displacement of approximately 2,686 individuals and caused damage across 117 municipalities, with intense rainfall and strong winds reported. Additional impacts included one fatality and five injuries since Friday, 7 August, when the storms most severely affected the state. The fatality involved a motorcyclist who died in an accident on state highway RS-124, in the municipality of Montenegro. Information available from: Isto É
Wildfire
Canada
On 10 August 2026, a media report informed that the BC Wildfire Service provided information on a wildfire affecting the Okanagan region of British Columbia. According to the report, the Bald Range fire, first reported on Friday at approximately 5:30 p.m., expanded rapidly from a small blaze to more than 100 square kilometers within hours, advancing roughly 15 kilometers toward Okanagan Lake and affecting the community of Faulder before threatening Summerland and Peachland. Authorities reported that the fire, designated K51490 and classified as a "wildfire of note," had grown to 103 square kilometers by Saturday afternoon, after doubling in size overnight, and expanded further to 136 square kilometers (13,618 hectares) by Sunday. As of Monday, its footprint remained at approximately 136 square kilometers, and the fire remained out of control. Additional impacts included evacuation orders and alerts covering Summerland, Penticton, Peachland, and surrounding areas within the Kamloops Fire Centre's jurisdiction. The entire community of Summerland, home to approximately 12,000 people, was under an evacuation order, along with roughly 8,000 individuals in and around nearby Peachland. Information available from: BBC
Volcano
Colombia
On 10 August 2026, a media report informed that the Colombian Geological Service provided information on eruptive activity at the Puracé volcano in southwestern Colombia. According to the report, the volcano registered a strong eruption on Monday, emitting a dense column of ash and prompting the closure of Popayán airport. The eruptive activity coincided with a magnitude 7.4 earthquake recorded in Colombia; however, the Colombian Geological Service clarified that the two phenomena were independent. Additional impacts included at least three ash emissions reaching heights of up to 300 meters, which affected visibility and raised concern among indigenous and farming communities living in areas directly influenced by the volcano. The volcano continued to exhibit elevated internal seismicity associated with fluid dynamics beneath the main crater, increasing the risk of larger eruptive events in the short term. Information available from: TeleSUR TV