VENEZUELA — Miyamoto International has released an initial rapid exposure assessment following the June 24, 2026 sequence of two major earthquakes in northern Venezuela. The sequence began with an M7.2 earthquake, followed 39 seconds later by a stronger M7.5 event near Yumare.

The first earthquake struck at 6:04 pm local time, with the second occurring at 6:05 pm, approximately 28 km southeast of Yumare at a depth of about 10 km. Both were shallow earthquakes, increasing the likelihood of severe shaking and widespread damage.

Preliminary Analysis

Preliminary analysis indicates that approximately 10.65 million people were exposed to strong shaking or greater (MMI VI+). USGS PAGER models issued red alerts for the major events. For the M7.5 earthquake, PAGER estimates include:

Response Coordination

Miyamoto’s team, led by Jesús Valdez, is coordinating with Mexican urban search and rescue teams deploying to the affected region. Valdez will provide technical and safety support. He previously contributed extensively to rescue and recovery operations following the 2017 Mexico City earthquake.

Early Engineering Concerns

Early engineering concerns include:

Buildings constructed before the mid-1980s are generally less likely to incorporate modern seismic protection, while the 1998/2001 seismic code introduced Venezuela's modern seismic design provisions.

Next Steps

A larger Miyamoto International team will deploy to the disaster zone in coordination with international agencies and diplomatic missions. The team will support on the ground damage assessments, situational awareness, and the development of response and recovery strategies. Immediate priorities include identifying communities and facilities requiring priority assessment and informing early response planning.

Initial Report

Rapid Exposure Assessment

Review Miyamoto International’s initial rapid exposure assessment for the June 24, 2026 Venezuela earthquake sequence.