Magnitude 7 earthquake (March 26, 1812) in Venezuela damaging Caracas, La Guaira, Barquisimeto, San Felipe and Mérida
One of Venezuela's deadliest seismic events, killing up to 20,000 people and reshaping the physical landscape of the Caracas valley.
Key Facts
- Magnitude
- 7.7 Richter scale
- Date and time
- March 26, 1812, 4:37 p.m.
- Estimated death toll
- 15,000–20,000 people
- Number of seismic shocks
- 2 shocks within 30 minutes
- Cities affected
- Caracas, La Guaira, Barquisimeto, San Felipe, Mérida
- New lake formed
- Valecillo; river Yurubí dammed
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Venezuela sits along active tectonic fault systems in northern South America. On March 26, 1812, seismic stress along these faults released in a catastrophic rupture, producing an earthquake estimated at magnitude 7.7. The event struck on Maundy Thursday, when many residents were gathered in churches and public spaces.
Two successive seismic shocks struck within 30 minutes at 4:37 p.m. The first shock devastated Caracas and the second struck Mérida. The combined event caused extensive structural destruction across Caracas, La Guaira, Barquisimeto, San Felipe, and Mérida, killing between 15,000 and 20,000 people.
Beyond the massive loss of life, the earthquake altered the physical geography of the region. In Valecillo, a new lake formed and the Yurubí river was dammed. Numerous streams changed course in the Caracas valley, which was inundated with floodwater, leaving incalculable material damage across the affected cities.
Human Cost
Each dot represents approximately 10,000 deaths. Total estimated: 15,000 (earthquake)
Range: 15,000 – 20,000