Two powerful earthquakes struck Caracas, Venezuela, on June 24, 2026, killing 32 people and injuring 700 others. The quakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, occurred at 18:04 local time as many residents were celebrating Venezuela's national holiday. Despite the devastation, these earthquakes do not rank among the largest ever recorded globally.
US Geological Survey Lists 10 Strongest Earthquakes
According to Al Jazeera, the US Geological Survey (USGS) has compiled a list of the 10 most powerful earthquakes ever recorded, based on magnitude and associated death tolls. The list highlights the immense scale of seismic events that have shaped human history.
- Magnitude 9.5 – 1960, Biobio, Chile. Death toll: 1,655
- Magnitude 9.2 – 1964, Alaska, US. Death toll: 130
- Magnitude 9.1 – 2004, Sumatra, Indonesia. Death toll: More than 280,000
- Magnitude 9.1 – 2011, Tohoku, Japan. Death toll: More than 15,000
- Magnitude 9.0 – 1952, Kamchatka, Russia. Death toll: Up to 15,000
- Magnitude 8.8 – 1906, Esmeraldas, Ecuador. Death toll: 1,500
- Magnitude 8.8 – 2010, Biobio, Chile. Death toll: 523
- Magnitude 8.8 – 2025, Kamchatka, Russia. Death toll: 0
- Magnitude 8.7 – 1965, Alaska, US. Death toll: 0
- Magnitude 8.6 – 1950, Arunachal Pradesh, India. Death toll: 780
Venezuela Earthquakes: State of Emergency Declared
Acting President Delcy Rodriguez declared a state of emergency following the twin earthquakes in Caracas, and the city's airport was closed. The USGS earlier calculated a 44% chance of more than 10,000 fatalities and a 30% chance of more than 100,000, though actual numbers were significantly lower. The quakes occurred on June 24, 2026, at 18:04 local time, catching many residents at home during the national holiday celebrations.
Is Nigeria at Risk of Earthquakes?
Nigeria has often been considered a zone immune from major earthquakes, but new research challenges that belief. Studies now indicate that the country faces a real risk of seismic events, with forecasts pointing to magnitudes as high as 7.1 by 2028. Experts warn that urgent government action is needed to prepare for these possible disasters and protect lives.
