Venezuela Hit by Largest Earthquake Since 1900

The U.S. Geological Survey has reported that Venezuela experienced its largest earthquake since 1900 on Wednesday. The seismic event had a magnitude of 7.5, making it the strongest to hit the country or its nearby coastal regions in over a century.

Previously, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake was recorded near Venezuela’s coast on October 29, 1900. According to Paule Earle, a geophysicist with the U.S.G.S., this earlier earthquake’s magnitude was calculated from damage reports and effects in the area since modern instrumentation was unavailable at the time.

The 1900 San Narciso Earthquake struck Caracas early in the morning, claiming the lives of 21 people and injuring 50 others. It collapsed multiple buildings, including churches, public structures, and residences throughout the city, as documented by an agency impact report. On November 17, 1900, The New York Times covered the earthquake’s aftermath, stating that roughly 300 buildings had fallen, including the university tower and several church spires, while government buildings sustained varying levels of damage. Many residents resorted to living in tents due to the extensive destruction.

The U.S.G.S. has speculated that the recent earthquake might prove even more deadly than the one from 1900. However, the exact human toll and extent of the damage remain unclear. This sequence of seismic events included a magnitude 7.2 earthquake, considered a foreshock, followed by the main shock with a magnitude of 7.5. William Barnhart, another geophysicist with the U.S.G.S., explained that earthquakes can cause stress changes in the ground, leading to subsequent seismic activity. This theory likely applies to Venezuela’s recent earthquakes.

Located between the South American and Caribbean tectonic plates, Venezuela frequently encounters seismic activity. The country has previously experienced other notable earthquakes, such as the magnitude 7.3 quake on August 21, 2018, and a magnitude 7.0 event on July 9, 1997.