CARACAS — A 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck near Caracas, Venezuela, on June 24, 2026, causing extensive damage and fatalities. The United States Geological Survey reported that the mainshock was preceded by a 7.2-magnitude tremor 39 seconds earlier.

The seismic event occurred at approximately 18:00 local time and led to ground displacement of about 30 cm in the line of sight, according to data from the Copernicus Sentinel-1 satellite. This ground deformation map was derived by comparing Sentinel-1 data collected on June 18, 2026, and June 25, 2026. The earthquakes resulted in strong shaking of buildings, widespread damage, and recorded fatalities.

The affected region spans from Caracas westward to Puerto Cabello, a distance of approximately 210 km from the capital. La Guaira, located about 20 km north of Caracas, was among the areas most severely impacted. The US Geological Survey noted that the seismic events occurred at a relatively shallow depth.

This 7.5-magnitude earthquake marks the strongest to affect Venezuela since 1900. The northern coast of Venezuela is situated on the San Sebastian fault system. This fault system extends for approximately 500 km along the Venezuelan coast and into the Caribbean Sea.

Context

The earthquake on June 24, 2026, is the strongest in Venezuela in over a century. The use of Copernicus Sentinel-1 satellite data to measure ground displacement provides a detailed assessment of the earthquake's physical impact on the landscape. The affected area's location along the San Sebastian fault system indicates the region's susceptibility to seismic activity.