Prof. Hermógenes David Suárez Acosta, Prof. Ileanis Arenas Bermúdez.
Laboratorio de Geodesia Física y Satelital Dr. Melvin Hoyer. Departamento de Geodesia Superior. Escuela de Ingeniería Geodésica. Facultad de Ingeniería. Universidad del Zulia.
Contacto: lgfs@fing.luz.edu.ve / info@siggma.xyz
Introduction
On June 24, 2026, two earthquakes of magnitudes Mw 7.2 and Mw 7.5 occurred 39 seconds apart west of Caracas. In the following days, space agencies and geodetic teams published maps and analyses of the deformation field, summarized in this synthesis. It also shows how the Laboratorio de Geodesia Física y Satelital “Dr. Melvin Hoyer” (LGFS-MH) at the Universidad del Zulia in Venezuela provided early evidence using GNSS and, subsequently, an integrated regional GNSS+DInSAR characterization of the three displacement components. These preliminary results helped to determine the magnitude and spatial distribution of the deformation associated with the event.
Chronology of Geodetic Evidence
24 JUN | EARTHQUAKE DOUBLET — Mw 7.2 and Mw 7.5: deformation monitoring begins. |
26 JUN | Copernicus Emergency Management Service (CEMS Mapping) |
Sensor: | SENTINEL-1 — DInSAR displacement of ±50 cm (LOS). |
Fuente: |
28 JUN | Laboratorio de Geodesia Física y Satelital “Dr. Melvin Hoyer” (LGFS-MH) |
Sensor: | GNSS — 3D displacement at CCS1: dE = −46.4 cm; dN = −1.1 cm; dU = +2.1 cm. |
Fuente: | |
29 JUN | ESA |
Sensor: | SENTINEL-1 — DInSAR displacement of approximately 30 cm in line of sight (LOS). |
Fuente: | Sentinel-1 shows ground displacement after Venezuela earthquakes |
06 JUL | JAXA/EORC |
Sensor: | ALOS-2 / PALSAR-2 — DInSAR displacement of up to ~35 cm in line of sight (LOS). |
Fuente: |
09 JUL | Departamento de Ingeniería Geodésica y Agrimensura (DIGA) de la UCV |
Sensor: | GNSS High-Rate — Desplazamiento 3D en CCS1 (dE: -47; dN: -0.7; dU: +1.8) cm. |
Fuente: | Reporte preliminar de la evaluación sismo-geodésica del evento del 24-jun-2026 |
10 JUL | NASA EARTH OBSERVATORY + NISAR’s Urgent Response (UR) |
Sensor: | NISAR — Desplazamiento DinSAR ±60 cm (LOS). |
Fuente: |
13 JUL | Laboratorio de Geodesia Física y Satelital “Dr. Melvin Hoyer” (LGFS-MH) |
Sensor: | GNSS+DInSAR — Integrated 3D characterization at CCS1: dE = −52 cm; dN = −1 cm; dU = +4.8 cm. |
Fuente: |
13 JUL | Nevada Geodetic Laboratory (NGL) |
Sensor: | GNSS — Displacement at CCS1 (dE: −46 cm). |
Fuente: |
15 JUL | IAG + Laboratorio de Geodesia Física y Satelital “Dr. Melvin Hoyer” (LGFS-MH) |
Sensor: | GNSS+DInSAR — International dissemination of the integrated 3D characterization developed by LGFS-MH. |
| Fuente: | Geodesy in Action: GNSS and InSAR Reveal Coseismic Deformation in Venezuela |
What the Space Agencies and LGFS-MH Observed
CEMS · SENTINEL-1 | ~50 cm in line of sight (LOS) [Asc] |
ESA · SENTINEL-1 | ~30 cm in line of sight (LOS) [Desc] |
JAXA · ALOS-2 / PALSAR-2 | ~35 cm in line of sight (LOS) [Desc] |
NASA · NISAR | ~60 cm in line of sight (LOS) |
LGFS-MH · SENTINEL-1 + GNSS | ~50 cm in line of sight (LOS) [Asc/Desc] |
Main Contributions of Venezuelan Geodesy
01 | FIRST GNSS-DERIVED EVIDENCE OF COSEISMIC DEFORMATION |
02 | FIRST HIGH-RATE GNSS-DERIVED SEISMO-GEODETIC EVIDENCE |
03 | FIRST DInSAR RESULTS FROM ASCENDING AND DESCENDING ORBITS AND 3D GNSS+DInSAR INTEGRATION |
From Observation to Knowledge
“SAR satellites showed where the ground changed. GNSS indicated how it moved. Together, they enabled a 3D description of deformation.”
Final Remarks
LGFS-MH was one of the pioneering teams to provide robust GNSS evidence of coseismic deformation in Venezuela. Its initial contribution at CCS1 identified a predominantly westward displacement of nearly half a meter. The available GNSS and DInSAR observations also underscore the need to verify, reoccupy, and update the coordinates of national geodetic networks, particularly in the affected areas.
Reconstruction and geometric control of civil works will require topographic networks tied to geodetic control points with updated coordinates. The assessment should extend to cadastral networks and critical infrastructure through measurement campaigns, quality control, and metrological traceability.
Venezuela needs to modernize its geodetic infrastructure and move toward a dynamic reference frame compatible with international standards and the country’s geodynamic setting. This foundation is essential for mapping, land management, cadastre, and infrastructure planning.
The scientific and technical contribution generated by Venezuelan universities should be recognized. LGFS-MH at LUZ and DIGA at UCV produced relevant geodetic information on the impact of the event within a short time frame. Their results facilitated integration with seismic, geological, and remote-sensing studies.
The findings of the Venezuelan academic community were timely and technically consistent with independent products released by international agencies. The comparison should be interpreted within the limitations of each technique and the preliminary nature of the results.
The subsequent advance by LGFS-MH was the integration of GNSS and DInSAR to estimate the three-dimensional deformation components (dE, dN, and dU). Whereas the international publications considered in this synthesis primarily report line-of-sight (LOS) displacements, GNSS+DInSAR integration provides a regional description in east, north, and vertical components. This distinction does not replace international products; it complements them and strengthens the geodetic interpretation of the event.
The findings of the Venezuelan academic community have been timely and technically consistent with independent products disseminated by international agencies. The comparison should be made within the framework of the inherent limitations of each technique and the preliminary nature of the results.
The outreach role of the International Association of Geodesy (IAG), SIGGMA, SIRGAS, and IPGH should also be acknowledged.
References
Arenas Bermúdez, I. and Suárez Acosta, H.D. (2026) Preliminary GNSS evidence of coseismic deformation in Caracas associated with the June 24, 2026 earthquake. Maracaibo: Dr. Melvin Hoyer Physical and Satellite Geodesy Laboratory, University of Zulia. Available at: https://siggma.xyz/evidencia-gnss-preliminar-terremoto-caracas/ (Accessed: 24 July 2026).
Copernicus Emergency Management Service (2026) Earthquake in Venezuela, EMSR884. Available at: https://mapping.emergency.copernicus.eu/activations/EMSR884/ (Accessed: 24 July 2026).
Department of Geodetic Engineering and Surveying (DIGA) (2026) Preliminary report on the seismo-geodetic assessment of the 24 June 2026 event. Caracas: Central University of Venezuela. Available at: https://siggma.xyz/reporte-preliminarde-la-evaluacion-sismo-geodesica-del-evento-del-24-jun-2026/ (Accessed: 24 July 2026).
European Space Agency (ESA) (2026) Sentinel-1 shows ground displacement after Venezuela earthquakes. Available at: https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2026/06/Sentinel-1_shows_ground_displacement_after_Venezuela_earthquakes (Accessed: 24 July 2026).
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) (2026) ALOS-2 observations of earthquakes in Venezuela. Available at: https://www.eorc.jaxa.jp/ALOS/en/library/disaster/dis_venezuela_earthquake_20260625_e.htm (Accessed: 24 July 2026).
NASA (2026a) Line of Sight Surface Displacement Map (NISAR) for the Venezuela Earthquakes. ArcGIS Enterprise. Available at: https://gis.earthdata.nasa.gov/portal/home/item.html?id=9244f7b07fa64d45ae7cb66c34d1696a (Accessed: 24 July 2026).
NASA (2026b) Where Venezuela’s Earthquakes Shifted the Ground. NASA Earth Observatory. Available at: https://science.nasa.gov/earth/earth-observatory/where-venezuelas-earthquakes-shifted-the-ground/ (Accessed: 24 July 2026).
Nevada Geodetic Laboratory (2026) Venezuela Earthquake Coseismic Displacements. Available at: https://geodesy.unr.edu/ (Consultado: 24 julio 2026).
Suárez Acosta, H.D. and Arenas Bermúdez, I. (2026a) Preliminary GNSS+DInSAR evidence of coseismic deformation in Venezuela associated with the June 24, 2026 earthquakes. Maracaibo: Dr. Melvin Hoyer Physical and Satellite Geodesy Laboratory, University of Zulia. Available at: https://siggma.xyz/evidencia-gnssdinsar-preliminar-de-deformacion-co-sismica-en-venezuela-asociada-a-los-terremotos-del-24-de-junio-de-2026/ (Accessed: 24 July 2026).
Suárez Acosta, H.D. and Arenas Bermúdez, I. (2026b) Geodesy in Action: GNSS and InSAR Reveal Coseismic Deformation in Venezuela. Geodesy News, 15 July. Available at: https://geodesy.science/2026/geodesy-in-action-gnss-and-insar-reveal-coseismic-deformation-in-venezuela/ (Accessed: 24 July 2026).
United States Geological Survey (USGS) (2026a) M 7.2 – 21 km ENE of San Felipe, Venezuela, 24 June 2026. Available at: https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us6000t7zc/executive (Accessed: 24 July 2026).
United States Geological Survey (USGS) (2026b) M 7.5 – 20 km ESE of Yumare, Venezuela, 24 June 2026. Available at: https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us6000t7zp/executive (Accessed: 24 July 2026).
Acknowledgments
The authors acknowledge ASF DAAC, NASA Earthdata Cloud, and ESA/Copernicus for access to Sentinel-1 data and HyP3 processing. HyP3 products contain modified Copernicus Sentinel data from 2026 processed by ESA. They also acknowledge IGVSB/REMOS and EarthScope/GAGE for GNSS data; the CSRS-PPP service of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and the OPUS service of the U.S. National Geodetic Survey (NOAA/NGS) for GNSS observation processing; and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) for access to the preliminary earthquake catalog.
