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Venezuela's 7.2 quake was foreshock to more powerful 7.5 earthquake: USGS
The magnitude 7.2 earthquake that struck central Venezuela on Wednesday just 39 seconds ahead of a second more powerful quake was a foreshock, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
Foreshocks are earthquakes that precede larger earthquakes in the same location. However, an earthquake cannot be identified as a foreshock until after a larger earthquake in the same area occurs, according to the USGS.
On Wednesday, Venezuela was hit by back-to-back powerful earthquakes measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, causing extensive damage in the capital, Caracas.
According to the USGS, the second quake was the mainshock of a severe seismic doublet sequence.
A seismic doublet is defined as two earthquakes of similar magnitude that occur close in time and proximity, the USGS said.
TRAGIC NEWS
— Megh Updates (@MeghUpdates) June 25, 2026
Back-to-back powerful 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes struck off the coast of Venezuela, causing many buildings to collapse.
The USGS has issued a preliminary estimate warning that the death toll could range from 10,000 to 100,000 casualties pic.twitter.com/TpNgizDYEc
In September 2025, the country experienced a seismic doublet when magnitude 6.2 and 6.3 earthquakes shook western and northern Venezuela.
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