The 1812 Caracas earthquake took place in Venezuela on March 26 (on Maundy Thursday) at 4:37 p.m. It measured M 7.7. The earthquake 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.
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.
The earthquake is believed to have consisted of two seismic shocks, individually measuring Mw 7.4 and Mw 7.1. The first destroyed Caracas and the second Mérida, where it was raining when the shock occurred.
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