1853 Cumaná earthquake

Earthquake in Venezuela 10.5 N 64.2 W region:US inline, title Venezuela 15 July 1853 yes s 7.1–7.3 14 km Venezuela 9 5 m 600–4,000 dead On 15 July 1853, a major earthquake struck the city of Cumaná in Venezuela, killing between 600 and 4,000 people. This earthquake caused heavy damage in Cumaná, where many people were killed. It also triggered a tsunami with a run-up height of 5 m. Earthquake Isoseismal VIII (Severe) on the Modified Mercalli intensity was assigned to an elongated area with a 65–90 km long axis. Based on this value, the estimated surface-wave magnitude was 7.1–7.3. It may have been caused by a rupture along the offshore segment of the El Pilar Fault System where it forms the northern boundary of the Cariaco Trough, a pull-apart basin.Audemard Franck A. Revised seismic history of the El Pilar fault, Northeastern Venezuela, from the Cariaco 1997 earthquake and recent preliminary paleoseismic results Journal of Seismology 2007 11 311–326 10.1007/s10950-007-9054-2 A maximum Modified Mercalli intensity of IX was observed in Cumaná and Barrio Caiguie. Intensity VII was assigned to Cumanacoa, Aricagua, Cariaco, and Santa Fe.[1853-jul-15] 02:00 PM Region geografica: Descriptor.gif Coordillera Oriental, Mar Caribe Earthquakes_p.gif [1853-Jul-15] 02:00 PM Geographic region: Eastern Cordillera , Caribbean Sea http://sismicidad.ciens.ula.ve/cgi-win/be_alex.exe?Acceso=T021100001043/0&Nombrebd=psh&CIzq=2&Opc=NoEti;&TipoDoc=U1 es Sismicidad Venezuela University of the Andes 28 June 2026 Various death tolls were reported; 600, 800, 1,000 and 4,000. Damage in Cumaná was heavy; in the Saint Agnes and Altagracia parishes, at least 113 people died.Significant Earthquake Information https://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/hazel/view/hazards/earthquake/event-more-info/1948 National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (NGDC/WDS): NCEI/WDS Global Significant Earthquake Database. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information 28 June 2026 10.7289/V5TD9V7K Many public buildings and homes were destroyed; the few homes left standing were unsafe for occupation. The earthquake generated a tsunami that was reported in Sabana de Salgado, Sabana de Caiguire, Puerto Sucre, and Cumaná. The tsunami was 5–6 m meters tall and flooded 200 varas inland.Tsunami Event Information https://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/hazel/view/hazards/tsunami/event-more-info/807 28 June 2026 10.7289/V5PN93H7 National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service: NCEI/WDS Global Historical Tsunami Database. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information References Category:Cumaná Category:Earthquakes in Venezuela Category:July 1853 Category:Tsunamis in Venezuela Category:Sucre (state) Category:1853 earthquakes