· · ·

Small tsunami hits Caribbean Colombia, underwater landslide likely cause

colombia-tsunami-underwater-landslide-july-2017

Colombian General Maritime Directorate (Dimar) reports an unusual rise in sea level (50 cm / 1.6 feet) took place around 13:20 UTC (08:20 local time) on July 19, 2017, causing flooding in different parts of the coast near Santa Marta on the country's Caribbean coast.

The event was not due to astronomical causes that generate the tide or meteorological, associated with events like the passage of tropical cyclones, Dimar said in a press release.

Due to the period of the disturbance, it is likely that this corresponds to a small wave, which has no origin in a seismic event, so this wave may have been caused by an underwater landslide, it added. The event is being investigated by the Colombian Maritime Authorty.

The same event was registered again at 09:00 local time, although with a lower intensity, and registered by another tide gauge installed at the tidal station located in Ballenas (La Guajira).

"Such events can not be predicted," the agency said. "However, as there is no evidence of tectonic origin of the event, it is not expected to be repeated in the near future."

Small tsunami hits Caribbean Colombia on July 19, 2017 - Map

Dimar said it will continue to monitor the development of this natural event and inviteed the community to be attentive to the recommendations of the officials of the Port Captaincies in the Caribbean region and consult the meteorological reports issued through the Center for Oceanographic and Hydrographic Research (CIOH) of the Caribbean and published on the website of the Colombian Maritime Authority.

According to El Heraldo, residents of Pueblo Viejo, coastal municipality of the Magdalena and contiguous to Ciénaga said the phenomenon caused the sea to recede about 100 m (328 feet) followed by a large wave, similar to a tsunami.

Featured image: Small tsunami hits Caribbean Colombia on July 19, 2017

Share:

Commenting rules and guidelines

We value the thoughts and opinions of our readers and welcome healthy discussions on our website. In order to maintain a respectful and positive community, we ask that all commenters follow these rules:

  • Treat others with kindness and respect.
  • Stay on topic and contribute to the conversation in a meaningful way.
  • Do not use abusive or hateful language.
  • Do not spam or promote unrelated products or services.
  • Do not post any personal information or content that is illegal, obscene, or otherwise inappropriate.

We reserve the right to remove any comments that violate these rules. By commenting on our website, you agree to abide by these guidelines. Thank you for helping to create a positive and welcoming environment for all.

One Comment

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *