Thursday's earthquake in Venezuela is the most powerful to strike the country since 1900, according to US monitoring data, as rescue and damage assessments continue in La Guaira and Caracas.
New US monitoring data, cited by Insider Paper, confirms that Thursday's earthquake sequence in Venezuela is the most powerful to hit the country since 1900. The assessment follows a series of three major tremors that began with a magnitude 7.1 quake at 01:28 Jerusalem time on Thursday, followed within hours by two further earthquakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, as The Zioneer reported throughout the day. The US Geological Survey had earlier warned of a high likelihood of casualties and extensive damage, and the new historical context underscores the unprecedented nature of the seismic event in modern Venezuela.
At 01:28 Jerusalem on Thursday, The Zioneer first reported a tsunami alert for Venezuela and nearby islands issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center after a magnitude 7.1 earthquake, with the USGS quickly confirming the magnitude. Within the same minute, initial reports of partial building collapses emerged via video evidence, and a separate tsunami warning was issued for Puerto Rico. Later bulletins at 04:06 and 04:16 Jerusalem documented the two follow-on quakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5, with footage showing widespread devastation and rescuers fearing thousands trapped in the coastal city of La Guaira, as reported by a ground reporter at 11:11 Jerusalem. The source quality evolved from single-channel alerts to multi-agency confirmation across the day.
As The Zioneer reported earlier Thursday, the US Geological Survey assessed a high probability of numerous casualties and widespread damage. President Donald Trump stated the US is prepared to assist Venezuela, though no specific aid details were provided, as The Zioneer noted at 06:59 Jerusalem. The quakes struck amid Venezuela's recent geopolitical shift following the 2026 deposition of Nicolás Maduro, including unprecedented military coordination with the US.
Full casualty and damage tolls remain unconfirmed. Rescue operations in La Guaira and Caracas continue, and the historical comparison to 1900 relies on US monitoring data cited by Insider Paper, which has not been independently verified by The Zioneer.
4 developments
- StrongUS Geological Survey warns of high likelihood of casualties, extensive damage in Venezuela earthquake
- StrongLarge fire rages in La Guaira after Venezuela quakes; rescue efforts continue
- StrongVenezuela records 20 aftershocks after two powerful earthquakes
- StrongDozens of buildings collapse in La Guaira after twin quakes
Source and signal
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