DESTRUCTIVE M7.2 FORESHOCK struck on Wednesday Evening near San Felipe in Venezuela.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on June 24th, 2026. Last updated July 21st, 2026.

A DESTRUCTIVE and very strong Magnitude 7.2 foreshock struck under land 22 kilometer from San Felipe in Venezuela in the evening of Wednesday June 24th, 2026. The earthquake struck near a very densely populated region. Earthquakes this strong in locations like this are likely to cause a high number of fatalities and likely to have a large economic impact. Another country near the epicenter is Aruba.

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Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in Venezuela, 22 kilometer (14 mi) east of San Felipe in Yaracuy. The center of this earthquake had a quite shallow depth of 28 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.

Date and Time:	Jun 24, 2026 06:04PM (Caracas Time) - Jun 24, 2026 22:04 Universal Time.
Location:	22 km east of San Felipe, Yaracuy, Venezuela. Coordinates 10°24'31"N 68°33'26"W.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 7.2 Detected by 202 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.058 .
Depth:	28 km (17 mi) A quite shallow depth.
Max. Intensity:	IX Violent On the Modified Mercalli Scale.
Tsunami Risk:	Low Tsunami Risk Mag 6.5+ earthquakes at shallow depth can cause tsunami's, but this epicenter appears to have hit under land, making this less likely. Always stay cautious - More info here.

High fatalities and economic impact

Based on scientific estimates by the US Geographic Survey (USGS), the risk of high fatalities for this earthquake is classified at level RED (high). They expect an 41% likelyhood of between 10,000 and 100,000 fatalities, and a 91% chance that the number of fatalities falls between 1,000 and 10,000,000.

The USGS classifies the economic impact of this earthquake at level RED (high). They expect an 36% likelyhood of between 10,000 and 100,000 million US Dollars in economic damage and impact, and a 98% chance that the economic impact of this earthquake falls between 100 and 10,000,000 million USD.

Roughly 24 million people exposed to shaking

This earthquake may have been felt by around 24 million people. That is the expected population size of the area exposed to a level of shaking of II or higher on the Modified Mercalli scale according to the USGS.

Violent shaking and likely heavy damage may have been experienced by an estimated 36,300 people. At IX, it is the highest MMI level this earthquake has caused. Intensity level IV was experienced by the majority of people (around 12 million). In their region, light shaking and likely no damage can be expected.

People in 4 countries have been exposed to shaking. In Venezuela , around 24 million people, with impact levels up to IX (violent shaking, likely heavy damage). Other countries where people were exposed to shaking include Caribbean Netherlands, Aruba and Colombia.

Nearby towns and cities

4 countries can be found within 300km of the epicenter of this earthquake: Venezuela and Aruba . Futher away, this earthquake may also have been felt in Colombia.

Located 22 kilometer (14 mi) east of the epicenter of this earthquake, San Felipe (Yaracuy, Venezuela) is the nearest significant population center. The intensity of shaking and damage in San Felipe is estimated to be around level VIII on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (severe shaking, likely moderate to heavy damage).

Multiple major population centers exist within 300km of the earthquake that struck today. Valencia is located 66 km to the south-east and experienced an intensity of VII (very strong shaking, likely moderate damage). Maracay is located 107 km to the east and experienced an intensity of VI (strong shaking, probably light damage). Caracas is located 184 km to the east and experienced an intensity of V (moderate shaking, very light damage).

A complete list of nearby places is included below. Estimated intensity data (MMI) sourced from a shake-map published by the US Geographic Survey is shown where available (cities without data probably experienced little impact).

Overview of nearby places

Earthquake Intensity Map

The maximum intensity (MMI Scale) caused by this earthquake is IX. The map below shows in which areas this earthquake was the most and least impactful. It is based on data from the US Geographic Survey.

I Not felt

II Weak

III Weak

IV Light

V Moderate

VI Strong

VII Very Strong

VIII Severe

IX Violent

X Extreme

Shaking reported by 14 people in 3 countries

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 14 people have reported shaking in 12 places in 3 countries (Venezuela, Martinique, Dominican Republic).We keep updating this article as more ground reports become available. You may report that you felt this earthquake here.

Places with most reports:

• Chacao, Miranda, Venezuela: 2 people.
• Caracas, Distrito Capital, Venezuela: 2 people.
• Valencia, Carabobo, Venezuela: 1 person.
• Cagua, Aragua, Venezuela: 1 person.
• Baruta, Miranda, Venezuela: 1 person.
• Ocumare del Tuy, Miranda, Venezuela: 1 person.
• El Hatillo, Miranda, Venezuela: 1 person.
• El Cafetal, Miranda, Venezuela: 1 person.
• San Antonio de los Altos, Miranda, Venezuela: 1 person.
• Saint-Joseph, Fort-de-France, Martinique: 1 person.

This is likely a foreshock

This earthquake was followed by a stronger MAG-7.5 earthquake, classifying this earthquake as a foreshock.

Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks

More earthquakes coming?

Earthquakes can create aftershocks. These are generally at least 1 magnitude lower than any main shock, and as time passes the chance and strength of aftershocks decreases.

The chance that a significant earthquake like this one is followed by an even larger earthquake is not so large. On average, scientists estimate a 94% chance that a major earthquake will not be followed by an even larger one. It is still adviced to be aware of this risk

This is an unusually powerful earthquake

No earthquake of this strength has struck this region for a long time. Our data goes back 10 years, and no earthquakes measuring a magnitude of 7.2 or higher have been detected within 300 km (186 mi) of this epicenter.

Low Tsunami Risk

There is a low tsunami risk following this earthquake, as it appears the epicenter was under land far away from the coast. However this was a very strong earthquake at a shallow depth that would have a very high risk at causing tsunami's if it would have occurred under sea. Stay cautious and monitor advice from local authorities.

Tsunami Risk Factors

Sources

Last updated 21/07/26 02:18 (). As more information on this earthquake becomes available this article will be updated. This article is automatically composed based on data originating from multiple sources.

1. US Geographic Society (USGS): Earthquake us6000t7zc
2. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
3. Google Maps: Static API
4. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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