A moderate earthquake measuring magnitude 4.2 struck near San Juan Bautista in the Díaz Municipality of Nueva Esparta, Venezuela, on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at 01:48:13 local time, according to data from the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC). The seismic event originated at an intermediate depth of 89 km in the Caribbean Sea, roughly 38 km northeast of San Juan Bautista. Seismological agencies noted that the initial parameters, including depth and exact location, remain subject to revision as researchers process incoming telemetry.
Agency Discrepancies and Magnitude Variations
Different monitoring networks recorded varying metrics for the Sunday morning event. While the primary data source, the EMSC, pegged the earthquake at a magnitude of 4.2 with an 89 km depth, a secondary monitoring group offered differing figures. According to the citizen-seismograph network of RaspberryShake, the same seismic event registered at a magnitude of 4.5.
Despite these variances in magnitude and depth reporting, both networks pinpointed the general coastal region of Venezuela as the source zone. Analysts expect that continued data collection from regional sensors will help reconcile these differing computational models over the coming hours.
Geographic Distribution and Shaking Intensity
The earthquake released an estimated seismic energy of 1.3 x 1011 joules, roughly equivalent to 35 MWh or 30.1 tons of TNT. Because of the intermediate focal depth, surface shaking remained weak across most populated zones. The closest major city, Porlamar, sits 41 km south of the epicenter with a population exceeding 216,000, where residents likely experienced very weak shaking.
Other nearby localities experiencing very weak shaking under the Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale included Santa Ana, Juan Griego, Pampatar, San Juan Bautista, La Guardia, and Punta de Piedras. Further away, in the capital city of Caracas located 349 km from the epicenter, the earthquake was largely imperceptible to the general public, though isolated citizen reports noted slight lateral swaying and brief vibrations lasting between one and sixty seconds.
Did You Know?
Historical Seismicity in the Region
The Caribbean waters north of Venezuela possess a long record of significant tectonic activity driven by interactions between the Caribbean and South American plates.
While minor tremors in the magnitude 4 range happen periodically along these fault systems, they rarely cause structural damage due to their moderate energy release and offshore locations. Seismologists continue to monitor the zone for any subsequent activity.
Did you or anyone you know feel the tremors from Sunday’s earthquake in Nueva Esparta or Caracas?
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