Note: Map shows the area with a shake intensity of 3 or greater, which U.S.G.S. defines as “weak,” though the earthquake may be felt outside the areas shown. The New York Times
Two major earthquakes hit Venezuela on Wednesday — the first a Magnitude 7.2 and the second a Magnitude 7.5 less than a minute later, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Tsunami alerts were issued for a short time for many Caribbean coastlines.
The first temblor happened at 6:04 p.m. Venezuela time about 15 miles northeast of San Felipe, Venezuela, data from the U.S.G.S. showed. The second, larger quake hit 39 seconds later.
The agency said that, based on data from the quakes and the type of structures common in the area, a widespread disaster, including many casualties and extensive damage, is likely.
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A tsunami advisory was briefly issued for coastal areas of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands, according to the U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. The agency had said tsunami waves also were possible along the coasts of Venezuela, Bonaire, Curacao and Aruba.
U.S.G.S. data earlier reported that the magnitude of the first quake was 7.1.
Aftershock tracking
The first quake appeared to have been a “foreshock” followed moments later by the larger main quake. Subsequent quakes are possible in the same area. Such temblors are typically caused by minor adjustments along the portion of a fault that slipped at the time of the initial earthquakes.
Quakes and aftershocks within 100 miles
As seismologists review available data, they may revise the earthquakes’ reported magnitudes. Additional information collected about the earthquake may also prompt U.S.G.S. scientists to update the shake-severity maps.
Sources: United States Geological Survey (epicenter, aftershocks, shake intensity); LandScan via Oak Ridge National Laboratory (population density) | Notes: Shaking categories are based on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale. When aftershock data is available, the corresponding maps and charts include earthquakes within 100 miles and seven days of the initial quake. All times above are Venezuela time. Shake data is as of Wednesday, June 24 at 7:10 p.m. Eastern. Aftershocks data is as of Thursday, June 25 at 1:20 a.m. Eastern.
