Two Strong Earthquakes Shake Venezuela

Two strong earthquakes shook Venezuela with barely 39 seconds apart and forced authorities to activate a tsunami alert for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Later, authorities canceled the warning.

The main event was a magnitude 7.5 earthquake, according to the USGS. The sequence left scenes of evacuation, regional concern, and constant monitoring in the Caribbean.

What exactly happened?

The U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center explained that it was a seismic doublet. This means two strong earthquakes occurred very close together in time and location.

The first movement was initially reported as magnitude 7.2. Afterward, seismic analysis reclassified it as a foreshock of the main event. The dominant tremor turned out to be magnitude 7.5.

The epicenter was located near the Venezuelan coast, approximately 300 kilometers east of Caracas, in Carabobo state. The earthquake was shallow, with a depth near 13.2 kilometers, according to the USGS.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration indicated that tsunami risk was assessed immediately for the nearby Caribbean. This rapid response aimed to protect coasts exposed to dangerous currents and sudden changes in sea level.

Why was there a tsunami alert?

Following the earthquake, the U.S. system first issued a warning for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The alert was activated due to the possibility of dangerous waves and strong currents on the coast.

Later, the warning was canceled. The National Weather Service confirmed that the threat could generate sea level fluctuations and intense currents. However, the risk was not sustained by subsequent analysis.

Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer González called for calm and caution. In a public message, she warned that the main danger was ocean currents and not necessarily a large destructive wave on all coasts.

She also asked swimmers to leave the water. The guidance was clear because, even without a large tsunami, the sea can become unpredictable. In such situations, quick reaction saves lives.

The NOAA