The United States Geological Survey recorded
a Magnitude 5.5 Earthquake at a depth of 10 km roughly 5 km to the northeast of the city of San Diego in Carabobo State on the north coast of Venezuela, slightly
before 9.00 am local (slightly before 1.00 pm GMT) time on Thursday 27 December 2018. This event was felt across much of northern Venezuela, but there are no reports of any damage or casualties.
The approximate location of the 27 December 2018 Carabobo Earthquake. USGS.
The southern margin of the Caribbean Plate lies just off the northern coast of Venezuela, this is
moving eastward compared to the South American Plate, upon which most
of Venezuela sits. This is not a smooth process, the two plates
constantly stick together, then break apart as the pressure builds up,
causing Earthquakes in the process.
Witness
accounts of Earthquakes can help geologists to understand these events,
and the structures that cause them. The international non-profit
organisation Earthquake Report is interested in hearing from people who may have felt this event; if you felt this quake then you can report it to Earthquake Report here.
See also...
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