2026 Venezuela earthquakes

On 24 June 2026, two large strike-slip earthquakes affected northwestern and central Venezuela. The epicenters of both earthquakes were in San Felipe in the state of Yaracuy. The first earthquake, which measured M_w 7.2, occurred at 18:04 VET; it was classified as a foreshock, and was followed 39 seconds later by a M_w 7.5 mainshock. Both earthquakes caused widespread damage across the country, particularly in La Guaira and Caracas, the capital. At least 235 people were killed, more than 4,300 were injured, and over 40,000 were reported missing. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) Prompt Assessment of Global Earthquakes for Response (PAGER) system predicted the death toll is likely to rise significantly, and could be as high as 100,000. The mainshock is the largest earthquake in Venezuela since the 1900 San Narciso earthquake.

Northern Venezuela lies within a broad, transpressional boundary zone between the Caribbean Plate and the South American Plate, rather than along a single fault. Its principal active structure is the Boconó–San Sebastián–El Pilar fault system, with slip transferred farther east through the Los Bajos faults and onto the Warm Springs fault system near Trinidad. It is a compressional and right-lateral strike-slip system that extends for more than 1,300 km (810 mi) from the Venezuelan Andes to Trinidad, and accommodates much of the dextral motion between the Caribbean and South American plates at about 10 mm (0.39 in) per year.