June 25, 2026, 1:35 p.mJune 25, 2026, 1:35 p.m
The recent earthquakes in Venezuela are among the strongest in the region in 100 years, according to a researcher. Torsten Dahm from the Potsdam Helmholtz Center for Georesearch (GFZ) explains what is known so far.
Why did the earth shake there?
The quakes occurred along a fault zone where several plates meet. In the region, it is particularly the Caribbean plate and the South American plate that are moving against each other, said the head of the GFZ earthquake and volcano physics section of the German Press Agency. This always leads to earthquakes.
Experts are discussing whether there were two strong earthquakes in quick succession in Venezuela or whether it was a single rupture. According to the Potsdam Institute, there were two tremors about 30 seconds apart. The US Earthquake Observatory USGS gave the magnitude as 7.2 and 7.5. The Potsdam Institute expects 7.3 and 7.4.
How severe were the quakes?
According to the Potsdam researcher, they were perhaps the strongest in the region for around 100 years. Historically, earthquakes of equal or greater magnitude have also been documented, said Dahm. In 1900 there was an earthquake near Caracas with a magnitude of 7.7 and in 1967 one with a magnitude of 6.5. Perhaps the strongest earthquake recorded there was in 1812 with an estimated magnitude of up to 8.
What damage is expected?
In an earthquake of this magnitude, major damage is to be expected, said Dahm. The extent also depends on the construction method and population density. “But in this region, at least initial estimates suggest that there will be significant damage.” The earthquake occurred at a shallow depth and the tremors were significantly stronger. According to early findings, at least 164 people were killed and at least 971 others were injured.
Does the earth continue to shake?
“Typically you have a relatively large number of aftershocks,” said Dahm. An aftershock with a magnitude of 4.6 was measured from a distance in the first eight hours.
There were also tremors near Naples and California – is this related?
“No, you can’t assume that,” said Dahm. Earthquakes would typically occur at plate boundaries because stresses build up there over a long period of time. California and Italy are too far away from the location of the earthquake in Venezuela for there to be a connection. There are many earthquakes every day. For example, there are around 13,000 earthquakes a year with a magnitude of 4 to 5. (hkl/sda/dpa)