1853 Cumaná earthquake
Earthquake in Venezuela
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On 15 July 1853, a major earthquake struck the city of Cumaná in Venezuela, killing between 600 and 4,000 people. This earthquake caused heavy damage in Cumaná, where many people were killed. It also triggered a tsunami with a run-up height of 5 m (16 ft).
  Location within Venezuela | |
| Local date |
|
|---|---|
| Magnitude |
|
| Depth |
|
| Epicenter | 10.5°N 64.2°W |
| Areas affected | Venezuela |
| Max. intensity | MMI IX (Violent) |
| Tsunami | 5 m (16 ft) |
| Casualties | 600–4,000 dead |
Earthquake
Isoseismal VIII (Severe) on the Modified Mercalli intensity was assigned to an elongated area with a 65–90 km (40–56 mi) long axis. Based on this value, the estimated surface-wave magnitude was 7.1–7.3. It may have been caused by a rupture along the offshore segment of the El Pilar Fault System where it forms the northern boundary of the Cariaco Trough, a pull-apart basin.[2]
A maximum Modified Mercalli intensity of IX was observed in Cumaná and Barrio Caiguie. Intensity VII was assigned to Cumanacoa, Aricagua, Cariaco, and Santa Fe.[3] Various death tolls were reported; 600, 800, 1,000 and 4,000. Damage in Cumaná was heavy; in the Saint Agnes and Altagracia parishes, at least 113 people died.[1] Many public buildings and homes were destroyed; the few homes left standing were unsafe for occupation. The earthquake generated a tsunami that was reported in Sabana de Salgado, Sabana de Caiguire, Puerto Sucre, and Cumaná. The tsunami was 5–6 m (16–20 ft) meters tall and flooded 200 varas inland.[4]