1812 Caracas earthquake

1812 Caracas earthquake

"Terremoto de 1812", painting by Tito Salas
Local date	March 26, 1812 (1812-03-26)
Local time	16:37
Magnitude	7.7 M[1]
Depth	33 km (21 mi)[1]
Epicenter	10°36′N 66°54′W / 10.6°N 66.9°W / 10.6; -66.9[1]
Max. intensity	MMI X (Extreme) [1]
Casualties	15,000–20,000 fatalities

The 1812 Caracas earthquake took place in Venezuela on March 26 (on Maundy Thursday) at 4:37 p.m. It measured 7.7 on the Richter magnitude scale.^{[citation needed]} It caused extensive damage in Caracas, La Guaira, Barquisimeto, San Felipe, and Mérida. An estimated 15,000–20,000 people perished as a result, in addition to incalculable material damage.^{[citation needed]}

The seismic movement was so significant that in a zone named Valecillo, a new lake was formed and the river Yurubí was dammed up. Numerous rivulets changed their course in the Caracas valley, which was flooded with dirty water. ^{[citation needed]}

Based on contemporary descriptions, the earthquake is believed to have consisted of two seismic shocks occurring within the span of 30 minutes.^{[citation needed]} The first destroyed Caracas and the second Mérida, where it was raining when the shock occurred.