A devastating 1999 earthquake changed the face of western Colombia
Geography
The coffee-growing heart of Colombia was forever altered in 1999 when a powerful earthquake struck the city of Armenia, claiming over a thousand lives and leaving thousands more homeless.
A devastating 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on January 25, 1999, centered directly under the city of Armenia. The disaster killed at least 1,185 people and injured over 4,000 others. Because the quake hit at midday, many residents were trapped inside older, unreinforced masonry buildings that collapsed instantly.