Venezuela was hit recently by an earthquake of magnitude 7.2, and 39 seconds later by one of magnitude 7.5, a rare event known as a “doublet.”
A doublet is when two quakes of a similar magnitude happen in close succession, amplifying the damage.
The USGS reported that between June 19 and 26, 93 earthquakes occurred worldwide with magnitudes of 4.5 or stronger, indicating heightened global seismic activity.
Northern California also received a jolt in the form of a moderate 5.6 magnitude earthquake near Redwood Valley.
The epicentre was in Mendocino County, a shallow 5 miles beneath the surface.
Meanwhile, a powerful earthquake struck off the northern coast of Japan during rush hour.
The quake — off the eastern coast of Iwate Prefecture — had a magnitude of 7.2, up from an initial reading of 6.9, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.
Its depth was about 50 kilometres.
