On Wednesday night at 11:51 PM, the strongest tremor of the recent seismic swarm was recorded, with its epicenter located 45 km east of Bachaquero and a depth of 16.4 km. Image credit: Venezuelan Foundation for Seismological Research (Funvisis).
Guacamaya, September 25, 2025. Between Wednesday and Thursday, a series of earthquakes in Venezuela have sparked alarm and concern among the population, especially in the western region of the country, with epicenters mainly located in Zulia state. So far, Venezuelan authorities have not reported any human casualties, while seismology experts have provided relevant insights into the situation.
Vice President Delcy Rodríguez announced early Thursday morning that intense seismic activity had been recorded since the previous afternoon, caused by a tectonic fault in western Venezuela. She stated that “earthquakes ranging from magnitude 6.3 to 4.0 have occurred,” and that there have been “21 aftershocks and 10 main tremors” in total.
This information is based on reports from the Venezuelan Foundation for Seismological Research (Funvisis), which indicated that at least 13 of these events had epicenters in Zulia state and surrounding areas. Following the Vice President’s statement, Funvisis reported at least three additional earthquakes on Thursday, also in the western part of the country.
Despite Rodríguez’s remarks, the strongest event reported by Funvisis was a magnitude 6.0 earthquake at 11:51 PM, which was felt in cities across central and western Venezuela. According to the agency, the quake had a depth of 16.4 km and an epicenter located 45 km east of Bachaquero, Zulia state.
However, the Colombian Geological Service measured the event at magnitude 6.3, with reports of tremor perception in various towns across central and northern Colombia, particularly along the border with Venezuela. During the recent seismic activity, the Colombian agency has released information ahead of Venezuela, with slightly higher magnitude estimates.
Institutional Response and Preventive Measures
Vice President Rodríguez also stated that President Nicolás Maduro ordered the immediate deployment of the National Risk Management System, along with the mobilization of Civil Protection and public safety agencies across the country. The goal of these actions is to monitor the situation and manage potential emergencies.
Meanwhile, the Caracas Fire Department (CBC) activated a citizen support hotline to provide information and assistance regarding the ongoing seismic swarm, which remains active and continues to cause uncertainty among the population. The number is (0212) 545-45-45 and is available to residents throughout the Venezuelan capital, which also reported tremor perception.
Geological Context and Expert Opinions
Geologists and seismologists have explained that the activity is part of a continuous process of tectonic stress accumulation and release in the region, linked to a major geological fault in western Venezuela. The area lies within a complex and diverse geological zone, marked by the interaction of tectonic plates that periodically build up and release tension.
Just a week ago, Luiraima Salazar, a geological engineer from the Central University of Venezuela (UCV), warned in her article “The Great Earthquake of Western Venezuela: Another Pending Threat” about the likelihood of a major quake in the Oca-Ancón zone, where recent seismic events have occurred.
The expert cited Venezuelan scientist and seismotectonics specialist Frank Audemard, who noted that “the next earthquake of magnitude Mw ~7.5 is already overdue in the Ancón segment, east of Lake Maracaibo.” He emphasized that “although earthquakes cannot be predicted with precision, rigorous study of paleoseismic records allows us to reconstruct cycles and occurrence patterns.”
Impact and Current Situation
Fortunately, authorities have confirmed that no human casualties have been reported so far as a result of the ongoing seismic swarm in western Venezuela. However, alerts remain in place due to the possibility of further aftershocks, and the public is advised to stay informed and follow the recommendations of public safety agencies.
The most recent earthquake was reported Thursday morning at 11:12 AM, with a magnitude of 3.8 and an epicenter located 28 km west of Carora, Lara state. The recent series of tremors has caused widespread concern, as communities grapple with uncertainty and the psychological effects associated with such natural events.
