2026 sees deadly quakes across Venezuela, Philippines, Colombia and beyond

Globally, about 15 magnitude-7 earthquakes are expected each year, and by mid-August 2026 ten have occurred. Venezuela suffered the worst disaster when a 7.2 quake was followed seconds later by a 7.5 tremor, killing more than 6,300 and damaging or destroying an estimated 58,000 structures, according to satellite analysis by Oregon State University. The Philippines’ strongest quake of the year, a 7.8 event off Mindanao’s southern coast, resulted in 107 deaths despite its high magnitude.

In Colombia, a 7.4 shock on August 10 in the Choco region caused over 250 fatalities, with landslides and damaged roads hampering rescue efforts. A deep 7.5 quake near Tonga’s Vava’u produced little damage, while Japan’s 7.4 undersea quake off the Sanriku Coast prompted a tsunami warning but no major wave. Finally, a 5.8 tremor in Afghanistan’s Badakhsham province killed 12, highlighting vulnerability in poorer regions.