When the earth moves: 6 major earthquakes of 2026
Colombia, Venezuela, Mindanao: Thousands have died in powerful earthquakes this year. Six such events show that the magnitude of the quake is not the only factor determining the scale of the disaster.
In 2026, the world has experienced six major earthquakes, with the most devastating being a magnitude 7.2 quake that struck Venezuela on June 24. This earthquake was followed by an even stronger magnitude 7.5 quake just 39 seconds later, causing significant destruction in Caracas and claiming over 6,300 lives. The earthquake also severely damaged the country's infrastructure, with researchers estimating that over 58,000 buildings may have been damaged or destroyed.
In contrast, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake off the southern coast of the Philippine island of Mindanao in June resulted in fewer than 108 fatalities, despite the quake's high magnitude. This demonstrates that the severity of an earthquake is not solely determined by its strength. On August 10, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake shook western Colombia near San Jose del Palmar, causing over 250 deaths.
Landslides and damaged roads have hindered rescue and relief efforts in the region. In March, a magnitude 7.5 earthquake near the island group of Vava'u in Tonga caused no severe damage or deaths, receiving minimal media attention. April saw an undersea earthquake off the northeastern coast of Japan, which caused a tsunami warning but fortunately, no major tsunami occurred.
The earthquake in northeastern Afghanistan's Badakhsham province on April 3, with a magnitude of 5.8, is notable for causing at least 12 deaths, highlighting the risks faced by impoverished countries.
Written by urgent.news from DW English (Top Stories)'s reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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