Colombia earthquake falsely blamed on Alaska research program

On August 10, 2026, a devastating 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia, resulting in at least 270 fatalities and extensive damage across the region. The earthquake's epicenter was located in the Pacific region of Colombia, an area known for its seismic activity due to its position along the 'Ring of Fire,' a major area in the world where earthquakes occur frequently. Experts have confirmed that the earthquake was a natural event caused by movements in the Earth's crust, dismissing claims that it was triggered by human activities, particularly the High-frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) based in Alaska.

The HAARP program, which has been operational since 2015 and was previously managed by the U.S. military, has long been the subject of various conspiracy theories. These theories allege that HAARP can manipulate weather patterns, control minds, and even induce earthquakes. However, seismologists, including Suzan Van der Lee from Northwestern University, have firmly stated that the earthquake's depth of 110 kilometers is far beyond the reach of any human-induced seismic activity. The depth of the earthquake is significant, as it is at least ten times deeper than any earthquake that could be caused by human intervention.

Dean Whitman, a geophysicist at Florida International University, also refuted the claims linking HAARP to the earthquake, emphasizing that the radio-frequency transmissions used by HAARP do not have any physical basis for causing seismic events. He described the hypotheses surrounding HAARP's supposed influence on earthquakes as 'ridiculous' and highlighted that the electromagnetic waves produced by HAARP operate under a different set of physics than those involved in seismic activity.

As rescue efforts continue in Colombia, with tons of aid arriving from regional partners, the focus remains on the natural causes of the earthquake rather than unfounded conspiracy theories. The ongoing search for survivors and the assessment of damage are critical as the country grapples with the aftermath of this tragic event.