Strong Earthquake Shakes Colombia Early Tuesday
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A strong earthquake shook Colombia early on Tuesday, November 3. The earthquake had a magnitude of 5.6, which makes it a significant event.
The epicenter, the exact point where the earthquake started, was located in the department of Tolima, in central Colombia.
The tremor was felt in many parts of the country. People in Bogotá, the capital, reported feeling the shaking.
Residents of MedellÃn and the Valle de Aburrá region also felt the earthquake. Cali, another major city, was affected as well.
The earthquake struck in the early hours of the morning, while many people were asleep. Some residents woke up because of the strong movement.
News outlets quickly published reports about the earthquake, as people across the country searched for more details and information.
Authorities and local media covered the event closely, since such a widely felt tremor often raises concern among the public.
Colombia lies in a seismically active zone, meaning earthquakes are not unusual there. However, a magnitude of 5.6 is strong enough to be felt clearly over a large area.
At the time of reporting, specific details about damage or injuries were still being gathered by local news sources.
Vocabulary10 words
- earthquake
- a sudden shaking of the ground
- magnitude
- a number showing how strong an earthquake is
- epicenter
- the exact place where an earthquake begins
- tremor
- a shaking movement caused by an earthquake
- region
- a large area of a country
- early hours
- the time right after midnight
- seismically active
- an area where earthquakes often happen
- department
- a large administrative area in Colombia, like a state
- residents
- people who live in a place
- reports
- written or spoken accounts of an event
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Quiz
Answer key
1. 5.6 2. Tolima 3. False
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
A strong _____ shook Colombia early on Tuesday, November 3.
The earthquake had a _____ of 5.6.
The _____ was located in the department of Tolima.
The tremor was felt in many parts of the _____.
People in Bogotá, the capital, reported feeling the _____.
Residents of MedellÃn and the Valle de Aburrá region also felt the _____.
The earthquake struck in the _____ of the morning.
Some residents woke up because of the strong _____.
Colombia lies in a _____ zone.
Specific details about damage were still being gathered by local news _____.
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