Powerful Earthquake Strikes Venezuela: Assessing the Damage and History

The U.S. Geological Survey (U.S.G.S.) reported a magnitude 7.5 earthquake in Venezuela on Wednesday, marking the largest in the region since 1900. The previous strongest, a magnitude 7.7 quake, occurred on October 29, 1900. Due to a lack of modern recordings, this earlier event’s magnitude is estimated from damage reports, according to U.S.G.S. geophysicist Paule Earle.

Known as the San Narciso Earthquake, the 1900 tremor struck Caracas in the morning, killing 21 people and injuring 50. It caused significant structural damage, with the collapse of churches, public buildings, and homes. The New York Times highlighted this devastation weeks later, noting that around 300 buildings collapsed and key structures like the university tower and several church spires fell.

In the recent event, the U.S.G.S. suggested the devastation might exceed that of 1900, yet specifics on casualties and damage remain unknown. The earthquake sequence featured a magnitude 7.2 foreshock, followed by the mainshock at 7.5. Geophysicist William Barnhart explained that these earthquakes were related, with ground stress changes likely triggering subsequent tremors.

Venezuela’s location between the South American and Caribbean tectonic plates makes it seismically active. The country has experienced several significant quakes, including a magnitude 7.3 event on August 21, 2018, and a magnitude 7.0 quake on July 9, 1997.

Amy Graff covers weather, wildfires, and earthquakes for The Times.