Magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 Earthquakes Strike Venezuela, Triggering Tsunami Alerts
Quick Look
- Venezuela was struck by a 7.2-magnitude earthquake, followed by a 7.5-magnitude quake, on Wednesday evening, causing buildings to sway in Caracas and visible damage.
- Tsunami alerts were issued for the Virgin Islands and Dominican Republic, with an alert for Puerto Rico quickly lifted.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Residents in Caracas were at home celebrating a public holiday when the quake hit, and the capital was previously rocked by a deadly earthquake in 1967.
A 7.2-magnitude earthquake shook Venezuela on Wednesday evening, swaying buildings and homes in the capital of Caracas.
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake's epicenter was located about 17 miles (28 kilometers) west of the community of Moron, located along the country's Caribbean coast, about 104 miles from Caracas.
The quake had a depth of 13 kilometers.
USGS data earlier reported that the magnitude of the quake was 7.1.
Then, 39 seconds after the first quake, a second, even larger earthquake measuring 7.5 in magnitude hit the same area.
This quake had a depth of 10 kilometers.
Video footage shows extensive damage
Video footage showed emergency workers climbing into the ruins of one collapsed building in the capital as night began to fall.
Many Venezuelans were at home when the quake hit, celebrating a public holiday commemorating an 1821 military victory which secured Venezuela's independence from Spain.
Residents in the capital, which was rocked by a deadly earthquake in 1967, rushed to evacuate as the quake shook buildings.
The US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami alert for Virgin Islands. Authorities in the Dominican Republic also issued one for the island. Another alert for Puerto Rico was quickly lifted.
Open Questions
- What is the full extent of damage and casualties?
- Are there ongoing aftershocks or further tsunami threats?
