17.08.2026 23:30
Before the fear caused by the 7.4 magnitude earthquake in Colombia had even subsided, an unusual sight in the sky this time caused panic. The sky turning intense shades of red and orange during sunset hours raised concerns of a new tremor in some areas, while experts stated that the sight was a natural atmospheric event.
A week after the 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck Colombia on August 10, the sky turning an intense red drew attention. Images shared especially from around Galeras quickly spread on social media, and the unusual sight was associated with the earthquake. However, expert sources show no confirmed link between the two events.
EARTHQUAKE SHOOK THE COUNTRY
The 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck western Colombia on August 10 became one of the country's most severe natural disasters in recent years. The epicenter was reported near San José del Palmar in the Chocó region, while serious damage also occurred in cities such as Cali, Pereira, and Manizales. Reuters reported that the earthquake was the strongest tremor Colombia has experienced in over a century.
RED SKY A WEEK LATER
In the days following the earthquake, images said to have been taken in some parts of Colombia began to be shared on social media. The images show the sky turning dark red and orange shades during sunset.
While the posts claimed the images came particularly from around Galeras, some users associated the unusual colors in the sky with the earthquake.
LINK TO EARTHQUAKE NOT PROVEN
From a scientific perspective, it is not possible to say that the red sky alone emerged after the earthquake. According to NOAA, during sunrise and sunset, sunlight travels a longer path through the atmosphere. During this time, blue and violet wavelengths scatter more, while red and orange light can reach our eyes more intensely. Particles in the atmosphere and the structure of clouds can also make these colors more prominent.
Therefore, although social media draws a connection between the earthquake and the red sky, current reliable sources show no evidence that these images resulted from the 7.4 magnitude earthquake.
GALERAS ALSO UNDER CLOSE MONITORING
Galeras, associated with the images, is an active volcano located in Colombia's Nariño region. The Colombian Geological Service monitors seismic, geodetic, geochemical, and visual activity at Galeras with various stations.