How common are earthquakes in Armenia and surrounding area

juanalejo says on Mar 9, 2005, 04:42:

Quakes If you have mountains you probably have quakes, but in Colombia the farther west the closer to the pacific plate the more tremors. Plus you are right under the volcano ring which is the central cordillera. It really does not happen that often, but for similar temperature you might want to try Bucaramanga. But then again it is also on top of the mountains.

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Mar 9, 2005, 08:15:

pretty common but usually just small tremors. There was a big one in that area a few years ago, but nothing devastating since then. In Cali we had a few every year. The Pacific Rim is prone to tremors as you know, and it's basically not that much unlike California tremor-wise.

Cheers,
Desi

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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poco says on Mar 9, 2005, 08:21:

Maybe more common than you think Funny,, leaving earthquake prone California for Armenia. Out of the pot into the fire. I’m surprised you seem unaware of the problem since most of the downtown area was destroyed. Everyone has a story (survivors that is).

There was a tremor near Armenia a couple days ago. Not sure the location but I got a call. Seems the house “swayed” and it is located nearby? 100 miles? There was another tremor in November or December,, can’t remember exactly. My first tremor, 3am, loud shouts,, bed moving quite a bit. The first thing that came to mind,, better wake up I’m missing something. Interesting, recommend experiencing a tremor. Mount St. Helens is acting up,, is there a pattern?

Common sense precautions:
Live in a single story structure. Many homes are totally brick and cement. Not the best in my opinion. I’ve seen this quote on the net,,, “Blood Stained Masonry comes to mind”.

Armenia has more Guadua (bamboo) structures than most other Colombian cities. There might be a reason for this.

Having the “standard” tiled roof is something to think about. Nothing like having a heavy roof tile drop on your head.

Don’t hang any pictures or other items above the bed.

Keep same provisions on hand that you would in a Hurricane area.

Other potential problems when living in Colombia and STAY OUT OF THESE LOCATIONS.
Flash Floods
Mud Slides

The Armenia earthquake of 1999 is well documented. Do a Google search, lots of graphic photographs. Pereria is farther away and suffered less damage.


Click for Pererira Earthquake study

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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2retirensa says on Mar 9, 2005, 09:39:

Well, I am aware of the problem, especially in ´99. I just never thought it would apply to me until last year! You´re right Poco, out of the pot and into the fire! It´s been many years now since living in CA, and we didn´t have the tremors there like in Armenia. No one there (in the family) thought much of it though. I guess you get use to it. Very good article that I had not seen before, thanks.
Maureen

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litost says on Mar 9, 2005, 12:44:

Big quakes are rare, it had been many decades since there had been a devastating one in the coffee area before the 1999 quake. I´ve lived near Armenia and spend a lot of time in the area, it´s really not something almost daily like I hear California is like.

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Miguel says on Mar 10, 2005, 10:09:

Even Funnier Maureen You are, in St. Louis, living on top of the New Madrid Fault, which has not been active for a long time. If it is true that a dormant fault is just waiting to be "the big one", you're screwed. When it shifted big time over a hundred years ago, the Mississippi River flowed backwards and created Reelfoot Lake in Tennessee.

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2retirensa says on Mar 10, 2005, 17:40:

OMG Miguel I forgot about the New Madrid Fault! I now feel better about the whole thing and better go as soon as possibe to avoid being in the middle of a lake. (I use to live about 15 miles from Reelfoot Lake).

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poco says on Mar 10, 2005, 19:28:

Colombia Crack No matter where you go mother nature has her fun. This link will show graphic pictures of the damage caused by earth tremors.

CLICK HERE for COLOMBIA CRACK

Can’t wait to see how many googler’s are doing searches on this name.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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Lionheart says on Mar 10, 2005, 22:05:

time to evacuate (the planet) Quakes here and there, tsunamis everywhere, pop goes the volcano, and have we had our round of hurricanes this year? What about moving to Montana? But then a glacier might catch you in a few thousand years. You are more likely to die in a traffic accident than get killed by the natural elements. Oh, anybody look up the statistics comparing probable death in an earthquake or by a volcano eruption compared to all the other dangers in Colombia listed here in PBH? And tsunamis did hit South America before, one down by Chile did quite a bit of damage there, all the way up to Hawaii. And Siberia ain't safe either, remember the meteor there?

Ride it through when nature hits you and be prepared. There is no really safe location.

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Mar 11, 2005, 10:45:

how about Finland or Sweden? No tsunamis, no earthquakes, no hurricanes, no volcanos, no glaciers. Slowly but surely you get bored to death if the drinking hasn't killed you first.
Cheers,
Desi

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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Lionheart says on Mar 12, 2005, 15:59:

you got the trolls Desi Beware of the trolls under the bridges especially, and they steal/swap childern. And you have crazy reindeer pulling sleds as seen in a movie. Or you can hit a moose in the middle of the road day and night. The moose wins.

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