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Geophysical Networks in Colombia

Article in Seismological Research Letters · February 2018

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Geophysical Networks in Colombia
by Carlos A. Vargas, Alexander Caneva, Hugo Monsalve, Elkin Salcedo,
and Héctor Mora
ABSTRACT
We present a brief description of the Colombian geophysical
monitoring networks, mainly from the seismic and volcanic
points of view. We present also a description of two significant
events that defined the development of the instrumental geo-
physical infrastructure in Colombia: (1) the 31 March 1983
Popayán earthquake (M w 5.5, H
4 km deep) and (2) the
eruption of the 13 November 1985 Nevado del Ruiz Volcano
(VEI-3). Seven geophysical networks (seismological, strong
motion, volcanological, and Global Positioning System/Global
Navigation Satellite System [GPS/GNSS] networks) that are
currently monitoring the Colombian territory are described in
terms of the operational coverage, technical parameters, and
scientific purposes. Networks described correspond to (1) the
National Seismological Network of Colombia (RSNC, with
65 stations); (2) the National Strong Motion Network
(RNAC, with 177 stations); (3) the Volcanological observato-
ries, located in the Manizales, Pasto, and Popayan cities and
comprised of permanent stations that monitor seismicity, de-
formation, thermal changes in waters and rocks, SO2 and water
emission, as well as gravity, magnetic, and electrical changes in
the 12 most active volcanoes of Colombia; (4) the GPS/GNSS
Network for Geodynamics (GeoRED, with 108 Continuously
Operating Reference Stations, and 382 field stations); (5) the
“Sabana de Bogotá” Seismological Network (RSSB), with one
short-period (T
1 s) and eight broadband (T
120 s)
stations, of which three are monitoring seismic, electrical,
and magnetic anomalies; (6) the South Western Colombian
Seismological Network (OSSO, with 11 stations); and (7) the
Quindío Seismological Observatory (OSQ, with 9 stations).
Deployment of these networks has been possible due to the
active participation of state-owned and private institutions.
Their continuous operation has allowed the growth of the sci-
entific infrastructure countrywide, and has increased knowl-
edge about the geodynamical behavior of this region.
INTRODUCTION
Tectonic activity of northwest South America presents its
maximum expression through seismic and volcanic energetic
events that have been registered for more than 500 years.
Although the macroseismic inventory has identifyed more
than 1000 events with well-defined geographical distribution
patterns since the end of the sixteenth century until the begin-
ning of the 1970s (Ramírez, 1975), it was the deployment of
440 Seismological Research Letters Volume 89, Number 2A
the seismological network of the Geophysical Institute of the
Colombian Andes, linked to the Pontifical Javeriana Univer-
sity, that allowed improvement of instrumental localization
of seismic sources and recognition of volcanic activity in the
Colombian territory during the time period 1940s–1990s.
The deployment of seismic networks in the last three
decades has allowed us to increase knowledge about seismic
sources, to identify subsurface structures, and to introduce sus-
tainable concepts to reduce seismic risk in communities and
infrastructure. There were, however, two natural episodes of
moderate energy and catastrophic consequences, which in a
two-year window promoted changes in the political, scientific,
and administrative structure of the risk management in Co-
lombia. (1) The 31 March 1983 Popayán earthquake (M w 5.5,
H
4 km deep), a moderate energy event located 46 km
southwest of Popayán City, lasting 18 s, that partially destroyed
the town, caused more than 300 fatalities, and left more than
10,000 people without housing. (2) The eruption of the
Nevado del Ruiz Volcano (13 November 1985, VEI-3), a phre-
atic-magmatic event that generated the melting of the ice cap
of the volcanic summit and triggered a lahar that destroyed
the Armero town, causing more than 25,000 deaths (Naranjo
et al., 1986).
At the end of the 1980s, several volcanological and
seismological observatories were deployed by the Colombian
Geological Survey (formerly INGEOMINAS), which, together
with academic institutions, has allowed the proper instru-
mentation and permanent monitoring of several volcanoes
and populated regions throughout this country. This article
presents a brief overview of the Colombian geotectonic context
and the geophysical networks that are currently monitoring
that territory, as well as its operational coverage and scientific
purposes.
GEOTECTONIC SETTING
Colombia is a zone of broad continental deformation and an
intricate geotectonic configuration, which result from the rela-
tive motions of several tectonic plates (Fig. 1): South American,
Caribbean, and Nazca, which in turn splits into two controver-
sial plates, the Coiba and Malpelo (Zhang et al., 2017) through-
out the Sandra Ridge. This region is a mosaic of blocks
composed of at least three major structural units with different
seismotectonic characteristics (Vargas et al., 2004): the Carib-
bean zone, the Andean zone, and the Eastern Foreland zone.
March/April 2018 doi: 10.1785/0220170168

▴ Figure 1. Main geophysical networks in Colombia. Thin black lines correspond
to the tectonic faults of the study zone. International borders and shorelines are
represented by thick black lines. SMM, Santa Marta Massif; CT, Caldas Tear. The
color version of this figure is available only in the electronic edition.
The Caribbean zone is a mostly flat region that surrounds the
Santa Marta Massif (SMM), a pyramidal structure to the north
with heights up to 5775 m. Shallow seismic activity in this
region is low (see Figs. 1 and 2) and probably related to the
active fault systems located throughout the foothills of moun-
tain structures. The Andean zone contains a cordillera belt that
spreads into three branches aligned almost parallel to the
Pacific coast, with active volcanoes that are up to 5750 m high.
The main seismotectonic activity of Colombia is located in this
region, along fault systems that extend along the foothills. Fi-
nally, the Eastern Foreland zone constitutes a widespread flat
region that is part of the stable South American Shield, with
shallow seismic activity limited to the border with the Andean
zone and presence of anthropogenic events produced by the oil
industry (Gómez-Alba et al., 2016).
Seismicity in the lithospheric system of Colombia follows
different patterns, characterized by contrasting depth ranges
and tectonic settings. The main seismically active zones of the
crust are located along the limits of the Cordilleras and align
with the main faults observed at the surface. The Pacific littoral
presents shallow and intermediate seismicity (depths < 80 km)
along the Colombian trench, which is associated with the sub-
duction process of the Nazca, Malpelo, and Coiba plates. Some-
Seismological Research Letters
thing similar happens with the Caribbean plate
in the north, but with less activity. The subduc-
tion processes related to the oceanic plates under
the South American plate promote shallow to
deep seismicity, evidencing clear Benioff zones
(see profiles A and B in Figs. 2 and 3). Southern
interactions between the Nazca and Caribbean
plates beneath the South American continent
have been suggested along the Caldas Tear, which
differentiates two well-defined seismic and ther-
mal behaviors (see e.g., Vargas and Mann, 2013;
Salazar and Vargas, 2015; Vargas et al., 2015). An
outstanding anomaly is a deep seismicity cluster
known as the Bucaramanga seismic nest (depths
around 160 km), which is hypothesized to be a
down-dip break-off related to the subducted Car-
ibbean slab under South America (Vargas and
Mann, 2013).
MAIN NETWORKS IN COLOMBIA
After a few decades, geophysical networks in
Colombia have provided valuable information
about the geometry of the lithospheric system,
characteristics of the seismic-wave propagation
countrywide, parameters of seismic and vol-
canic sources, and datasets for estimating risk
in contrasting scenarios of population and in-
frastructure projects. In addition, the networks
have detected new patterns of seismicity un-
known until recent years (see e.g., Monsalve
et al., 2013; Yarce et al., 2014; Chiarabba et al.,
2016; Idárraga-García et al., 2016; Mora-Páez
et al., 2016; Vargas et al., 2017). In terms of data sharing,
the information collected in all networks are available for other
institutions to support monitoring and research projects.
National Seismological and Strong Motion Networks
Both networks are strategic instrumental observatories that
provide accurate information regarding the seismic activity in
Colombia to authorities, communities, and Academy. Site se-
lections, transmission inspections, sensitivity analyses, and data
management tests started in 1987. Proper functionality of
these networks began in 1993 with 13 short-period stations
donated by the Canadian Government and 35 digital accelerom-
eters. Later agreements with the Japanese Government, United
Nations Program for Developing, and the Comprehensive
Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) promoted
new stations and configurations. Although the permanent
seismological network reaches 65 stations installed and 177
strong-motion stations, by mid-year of 2017 there were 51 work-
ing seismic stations, of which 39 are broadband and 12 are short
period, and almost 170 accelerometers are active.
Field signals of the National Seismological Network of
Colombia (RSNC) are sent by satellite link to the Processing
Data Center located in Bogota. All signals collected are
Volume 89, Number 2A March/April 2018 441

▴ Figure 2. Seismicity reported by the National Seismological Network for the
Colombian territory. Large and clear circle and square correspond to the Buca-
ramanga nest and the 31 March 1983 Popayán earthquake (M w 5.5, H
4 km
deep), respectively. Triangles are active volcanoes. The color version of this figure
is available only in the electronic edition.
automatically picked and later carefully revised to estimate
earthquake locations using the HYPOCENTER program
(Lienert and Havskov, 1995) and 1D velocity model used by
the RSNC. Information on these networks can be accessed
through the portal in Data and Resources.
Volcanological Observatories
Visible fumarole activity in Manizales City and other nearby
populations, as well as seismic events detected by four portable
seismological stations in 1985, promoted the first scientific
approaches to address the activity of the Nevado del Ruiz
Volcano. Ashfall in a vast region since September of that year
and phreatomagmatic events generated mudflows, the main
one on 13 November 1985, which destroyed Armero and par-
tially Chinchiná, two populations located on both slopes of the
Central Cordillera of Colombia, and caused approximately
25,000 fatalities. Since then, the Colombian Volcanological
Observatory has been created in Manizales, and due to the ac-
tivity of at least 12 volcanoes in Colombia, the monitoring
activity was structured from the seismological and volcanologi-
cal observatories of Manizales, Pasto, and Popayán (Fig. 4).
442 Seismological Research Letters Volume 89, Number 2A
At present these observatories have seismic,
geodetic, geochemical, and other instrument
devices that permanently evaluate seismicity, de-
formation, thermal changes in waters and rocks,
SO2 and water emission, and gravity, magnetic,
and electrical changes in the most active volca-
noes. The Ruiz, Tolima, Machín, and Cerro
Bravo volcanoes are monitored from the
Volcanological and Seismological Observatory
of Manizales; the Huila, Puracé, and Sotará vol-
canoes from the Volcanological and Seismologi-
cal Observatory of Popayán; and the Galeras,
Azufral, Cumbal, Cerro Negro, and Doña Juana
from the Volcanological and Seismological
Observatory of Pasto.
The GPS/GNSS Network for Geodynamics
GeoRED is the Spanish acronym for Geodesia:
Red de Estudios de Deformación, and corre-
sponds to the Global Positioning System
(GPS)/ Global Navigation Satellite System
(GNSS) Network for Geodynamics imple-
mented by the Colombian Geological Survey as
the specific field application for the study and
analysis of crustal deformation in Colombia.
This network has two components: the GNSS
CORS (Continuously Operating Reference Sta-
tion), and the field stations network. GNSS is the
generic term for satellite navigation systems that
provide autonomous geospatial positioning with
global coverage such as GPS, Russian Global Nav-
igation Satellite System (GLONASS), Galileo,
Beidou, and other regional systems. The CORS
network is composed of 108 stations installed
across the country, and the field station by 382 stations that
allow deployment of field campaigns in areas with episodes of
seismic, volcanic crises, and mass movements monitoring. Ge-
oRED CORS network has been in operation for less than 10
years and is sharing data with international partners in the neigh-
boring countries of Panama, Ecuador, and Venezuela, and with
UNAVCO under the frame of the international COCONet
Project. Only one station installed in Colombia, on November
1994, has more than 20 years of operation (BOGT station) and
is part of the International GNSS Service (IGS) global network.
The data transmission of GeoRED is supported in different
ways, such as radio-links, cellular modem, and satellite link. In-
formation of the network can be accessed through the webpage
in Data and Resources.
The “Sabana de Bogotá” Seismological Network
An academic network deployed by the Laboratory of
Geophysical Instrumentation of the Universidad Nacional
de Colombia at Bogota (UNAL) started its activities in 2006
with funding from COLCIENCIAS (Administrative Depart-
ment of Science, Technology, and Innovation of Colombia),
UNAL, and Universidad Antonio Nariño (UAN). It currently
March/April 2018
▴ Figure 3. Profiles A and B showed in Figure 2, based on seismic events along a corridor of 50 km wide. The star represents the
Bucaramanga seismic nest. Continuous lines indicate the geometry of Benioff zones defined by seismicity. The color version of this
figure is available only in the electronic edition.

has one short-period (T
1 s) and eight broadband
(T
120 s) stations located in and around the Bogota’s
Savanna, between both foothills of the Eastern Cordillera, for
permanent monitoring of seismic activity in the most densely
populated region of Colombia. Recently, three of the broad-
band stations were updated to monitor seismic, electrical, and
magnetic signals simultaneously. All the signals are recorded at
100 samples=s and sent through 3G cellular telephone links
thanks to the support of the company TIGO-UNE S.A. E.
P.S. (formerly Colombia Movil S.A. E.P.S.).
The information gathered is incorporated into investigative
exercises in the Department of Geosciences, within the frame-
work of the undergraduate degree program in Geology, M.Sc.
programs in Geophysics and Geology, and the Ph.D. program
in Geosciences (UNAL), as well as in the broad spectrum of
academic programs in the UAN. Detailed information of the net-
work can be accessed through the webpage in Data and Resources.
M w 8.1 earthquake with 454 deaths and 1047 injuries; and
the 31 March 1983 M w 5.7 earthquake with 250 deaths and
1500 injuries, it was necessary to deploy an instrumental array
along the Colombian Pacific margin. This network began its
operation in July 1987 at the Universidad del Valle. It was cre-
ated with the participation of the Swiss Government (Swiss Re-
lief Corps, University of Geneva and Seismological Service of the
Federal Polytechnic School of Zurich), INGEOMINAS (now
Colombian Geological Survey), and the Autonomous Corpora-
tion for the Development of Valle del Cauca, to observe the
seismicity and analyze the seismic risk of the southwestern region
of Colombia. Since then, the network has maintained operation
with some periods of disruption. Currently, the network has 7
short-period stations and 19 strong-motion stations (including
the network of 14 accelerographs of the Cali City). The infor-
mation of the network can be accessed through the portal in
Data and Resources or by asking the staff of the network.

The Southwestern Colombian Seismological Network The Quindío Seismological Observatory

Based on the 23 November 1979 M w 7.2 earthquake with After the Armenia 25 January 1999 earthquake (M w 6.2,
approx. 50 fatalities and 500 injuries; the 12 December 1979 H
16 km deep), with resulting damages that included 1185

Seismological Research Letters Volume 89, Number 2A March/April 2018 443

 A large number of events have determined
the development of the geophysical research in
Colombia. However, two events became the
milestones of the instrumental monitoring and
research in this region of the world: (1) the 31
March 1983 Popayán earthquake (M w 5.5,
H
4 km deep) and (2) the eruption of the 13
November 1985 Nevado del Ruiz Volcano
(VEI-3). These events strongly motivated the
implementation of modern techniques and the
deployment of modern geophysical instrumen-
tal networks in this zone.
The National Seismological and Strong
Motion Networks, the Volcanological Observa-
tories, the GPS and GNSS Networks, and
the academic networks run by universities
(“Sabana de Bogotá” Seismological Network,
South Western Colombian Seismological Net-
work, and Quindío Seismological Observatory)
became a set of well-distributed instruments,
which scientific and academic communities to
improve their knowledge about the geotectonic
characteristics of this territory.

DATA AND RESOURCES

Location and technical information of the net-
works and their stations are accessible through
▴ Figure 4. Active volcanoes along the Central Cordillera in Colombia (white the staff or webpage of each network. Hypocen-
triangles) and other tectonic features and faults (black lines). Circles represent
tral solutions reported by the National Seismologi-
the location of cities mentioned in the main text: M, Manizales; A, Armero; Po,
cal Network of Colombia (RSNC) can be
Popayan; Pa, Pasto.
downloaded from http://200.119.88.135/RSNC/
index.php/consultas (last accessed January 2018).
fatalities, more than 4370 injuries, and 160,000 left homeless, Information on these RSNC networks can be accessed through
the Colombian Geological Survey, the local authorities of http://200.119.88.135/RSNC/ (last accessed January 2018). Infor-
Armenia City and the Quindío Department, as well as the mation of the GeoRED network can be accessed through https://
academic participation of the Universidad del Quindío, were geored.sgc.gov.co/ (last accessed January 2018). Detailed informa-
required to establish the Quindío Seismological Observatory tion of the “Sabana de Bogotá” seismological network can be ac-
(OSQ) for monitoring the seismicity along the faults near cessed through http://redsismobogota.unal.edu.co (last accessed
the main event. Since 1999, the observatory has collected January 2018). The information of the southwestern Colombian
seismological information based on six seismic stations—two seismological network can be accessed through http://osso.
broadband and the rest short period—as well as three accelero- univalle.edu.co/ (last accessed January 2018). Network informa-
graph stations. The data collected are incorporated mainly into tion for Quindío Seismological Observatory can be accessed at
research exercises in the Engineering Faculty, within the frame- http://blade1.uniquindio.edu.co/uniquindio/facultades/ingenierias/
work of the undergraduate program in Civil Engineering, and extension/PortafolioObservatorio.php (last accessed January 2018).
M.Sc. in Seismic and Structural Engineering. Network infor- Some plots were made using the QGIS package (http://www.qgis.
mation can be accessed by direct contact with the staff of the org/en/site/, last accessed January 2018).
OSQ (see Data and Resources).
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
CONCLUSIONS
The authors manifest a respectful acknowledgment for the
Because of the complex geotectonic characteristics of the north- valuable work and intensive activity that the Colombian Geo-
west corner of South America, where Colombia is located, it is logical Survey (SGC) has done during recent decades. Its
necessary to have a robust set of geophysical networks to get a contributions to the deployment of instrumentation and the
better understanding of the geodynamic processes that occur in increase in knowledge of the geophysical characteristics of
this region. Colombian territory are admirable. Our special gratitude to

444 Seismological Research Letters Volume 89, Number 2A March/April 2018

 Oscar Paredes, Director General of the SGC, and Patricia Pe-
draza, Viviana Dionisio, Esteban Poveda, and all the staff of the
National Seismological and Strong Motion networks for their
commitment. The same appreciation is extended to the scien-
tific and operational teams of the volcanological observatories
of Manizales, Pasto, and Popayan.
Also, we would like to express our gratitude to our institu-
tions: Universidad Nacional Colombia at Bogotá, Universidad
Antonio Nariño at Bogotá, Universidad del Valle, Universidad
del Quindío, and the Colombian Geological Survey. Without
their support and mutual collaboration, the permanent opera-
tion of all mentioned networks would not be possible.
Carlos A. Vargas and Alexander Caneva thank the invalu-
able contribution of Juan Manuel Solano for the strengthening
of the “Sabana de Bogotá” Seismological Network. His knowl-
edge of instrumentation and the development of computer
routines let us consolidate a robust and functional network.
Hugo Monsalve thanks Marisol Gomez and the staff of stu-
dents that permanently support the Quindío Seismological
Observatory (OSQ). Elkin Salcedo thanks students and con-
tractors in the Southwestern Colombian Seismological Net-
work (OSSO). Héctor Mora thanks Jair Ramirez and the
team of GPS/GNSS Network for Geodynamics (GeoRED).
It is important to highlight the permanent and valuable con-
tribution of COLCIENCIAS (Administrative Department of
Science, Technology, and Innovation of Colombia) to the deploy-
ment of an essential part of the stations run by local universities.
Special thanks to the leadership of the staff of the Geosciences
Program: Oscar Gualdron, Nydia Piragauta, and Margarita
Buitrago. Partial funding for this work was provided by COL-
CIENCIAS Grants 12455218627/784-2011, 123356935004/
0361-2013, FP44842-006-2016, and 50491-2016.
Authors thank Zhigang Peng, SRL Editor-in-Chief, and
two anonymous reviewers for the constructive criticism and
suggestions for improving the article.
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Carlos A. Vargas
Department of Geosciences
Universidad Nacional de Colombia at Bogotá
Bogotá, Colombia
Alexander Caneva
Research Center
Universidad Antonio Nariño at Bogotá
Bogotá, Colombia
Hugo Monsalve
Engineering Faculty
Universidad del Quindío
Armenia, Colombia
Elkin Salcedo
Department of Geography
Universidad del Valle
Cali, Colombia
Héctor Mora
Colombian Geological Survey
Bogotá, Colombia
Published Online 14 February 2018
Volume 89, Number 2A March/April 2018 445