7.1 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Venezuela, Tremors Felt Across the Caribbean

Significant Earthquake Strikes Venezuela

In the early hours of Wednesday, a powerful earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale jolted western Venezuela, affecting communities nationwide and causing tremors in parts of the Caribbean. The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the quake struck at a depth of 10 kilometers, approximately 21 kilometers west of Morón, located in the Yaracuy state of Venezuela. The seismic event occurred at 03:34:31 UTC.

Social media footage indicated structural damage in various regions of Venezuela post-earthquake, although the full extent of the destruction has yet to be confirmed. Residents in areas west of Caracas experienced intense shaking, and tremors were also reported in the Caribbean islands of Aruba and Curaçao, as well as in Guyana.

In the aftermath of the quake, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) issued a tsunami advisory for Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and the British Virgin Islands. The center cautioned that dangerous tsunami waves could occur within a 300-kilometer (186 miles) radius of the earthquake's epicenter, affecting the coasts of Venezuela, Aruba, Curaçao, and Bonaire.

Currently, there have been no significant reports of damage or injuries. Authorities are actively monitoring sea-level fluctuations and evaluating the earthquake's impact. Coastal residents are advised to stay vigilant for potential aftershocks and tsunami-related threats.