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🇻🇪 Venezuela /Disasters & Emergencies

Venezuela Records Two Types of Seismic Activity Since June 24

From El Nacional · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Seismic activity in Venezuela remains active following earthquakes on June 24, but most recent events are of low magnitude.
  • The majority of recorded tremors range between magnitudes 2.0 and 2.9, though some moderate quakes have occurred in the east.
  • Geologists explain that the current seismic activity presents two distinct scenarios: superficial adjustments from the recent earthquake and deeper, intermediate-focus quakes in the east.

Venezuela continues to experience seismic activity following the significant earthquakes recorded on June 24. However, recent tremors are predominantly of low magnitude, according to the latest seismic report. The majority of registered events fall between magnitudes 2.0 and 2.9, indicating a period of adjustment after the larger quakes.

These are not superficial earthquakes, but intermediate-focus earthquakes, so they should not be interpreted as direct aftershocks of the crustal rupture that occurred during the double earthquake on June 24.

— Luiraima SalazarThe geologist explains the nature of the seismic events in eastern Venezuela.

Despite the prevalence of minor tremors, several moderate earthquakes have been reported in the eastern part of the country. Notably, a magnitude 4.5 quake occurred northeast of Yaguaraparo in Sucre state. Additionally, tremors near Irapa registered magnitudes of 4.0 and 3.5. Geologist Luiraima Salazar explained that these eastern quakes have depths exceeding 100 kilometers, distinguishing them from the superficial aftershocks typically observed after major crustal ruptures.

Salazar further elaborated that seismic events in other regions, including La Guaira, Caracas, Aragua, and western Venezuela, exhibit different characteristics. These tremors generally occur at depths between 5 and 15 kilometers. This distinction in focal depths suggests that not all current seismic activity in Venezuela stems from the same rupture process.

This difference in depths shows that not all the seismicity currently recorded in Venezuela belongs to the same rupture process.

— Luiraima SalazarSalazar highlights the distinct characteristics of seismic activity in different regions of Venezuela.

The current situation presents two simultaneous seismic scenarios. The first involves superficial events concentrated in the center-north of the country, linked to the ongoing readjustment following the main earthquake. The second scenario, observed in eastern Venezuela, consists of intermediate-focus quakes associated with deeper tectonic processes between the Caribbean and South American plates. Salazar advised the public to remain calm and continue monitoring seismic activity, particularly in regions where tremors persist.

These movements respond to the progressive release of stress and the readjustment of faults.

— Luiraima SalazarThe geologist explains the cause of minor seismic events in central and western Venezuela.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Nacional in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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