August 31, 1917 Earthquake: Bogota, Ubaque, Soacha, Caqueza, Colombia

For 10 days, beginning on August 29, 1917, there was a series of tremors and earthquakes that mainly affected the inhabitants of Bogota. The first movement began on Wednesday, August, 29 at 10 p.m. It was very violent and lasted some seconds. Half an hour later it repeated with shorter intensity. Thursday, August 30, was calm and the natives of Bogota thought that the danger was past.

At 6:30 (11:30 UTC) in the morning on Friday, August 31, the most violent earthquake (4 N, 74 W) of the series was felt in Bogota and almost all Colombia, and shook the capital for 15 seconds. During the day it repeated 4 times, decreasing in intensity and duration. There was damage to almost all the buildings of the city; luckily these were relatively light, except some important buildings, like the cathedral, the church of Chapinero, that lost its main tower, the cloister of Our Lady of the Rosary, some governmental buildings and private residences. Only a few houses were totally destroyed. The loss of life occurred when the tower of the church of Chapinero killed 6 women, although other deaths due to nervous diseases of the heart or shocks are attributed to the earthquake indirectly. Several people were injured in the City by the fall of walls and in their haste to escape the danger. There was great consternation between the inhabitants of the city and a general exodus to the open field; the parks and streets were filled with people. The police and the army did all they could to maintain order and avoid looting.

The other devastated towns were Ubaque, Soacha, and Cáqueza.

Little by little the tremors decreased in intensity and frequency, until they were finished. The fear disappeared gradually, and finally the danger was considered finished.

(above from reference #1118)

Reference #88 lists earthquake on Aug 31, 1917, 11:36:18 UTC, 5 N, 75 W, magnitude 7.2, shallow depth.

Reference #130 lists earthquake on Aug 31, 1917, 11:36.4 UTC, 4 N, 75 W, magnitude 7.3.

Reference #1205 lists earthquake on Aug 31, 1917, 11:36:18 UTC, 4 N, 74 W, magnitude 7.3, intensity VIII, casualties.

Reference #1219 lists earthquake on Aug 31, 1917, 11:30 UTC, 4.259 N, 74.150 W, magnitude 7.3, intensity VIII, depth 40 km.

Reference #1002 lists earthquake on Aug 31, 1917, magnitude 7.2, in Tolima, Colombia.

Reference #529 lists earthquake on Aug 31, 1917, 11:36:18 UTC, 5 N, 75 W, destructive in Colombia.