Satellite Images Reveal Devastation from Venezuela Earthquakes
Following two powerful earthquakes on June 24, satellite technology is aiding rescue efforts in Venezuela, revealing widespread damage and an estimated $6.7 billion in direct physical losses.
After two strong earthquakes struck Venezuela on June 24, space agencies have activated satellite systems to assist rescue and recovery operations. The Copernicus system activated its emergency mapping mode at the request of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, using Sentinel satellite data. It has produced 10 products and 25 maps that enable real-time assessment of damage extent across 13 areas of interest, as well as identifying clear zones for landing aircraft during rescue missions and humanitarian aid deliveries.
Initial Copernicus data shows severe damage in the cities of La Guaira and Greater Caracas, along with impacts on communities in Aragua, Carabobo, Falcón, and Miranda states. The report notes that as of June 27, nearly 1,300 buildings have been affected in the region. Meanwhile, NASA activated its Disaster Response Coordination System, using NISAR mission data to create maps showing ground displacement. A pilot project integrated with Copernicus uses radar images from the Sentinel-1 satellite before and after the quakes to assess previously identified areas.
Preliminary modeling results indicate 58,870 buildings were damaged or destroyed near the epicenter. Each structure on the map includes additional information such as damage probability and coverage fraction. To reduce errors, the system was calibrated with seismic intensity maps from the US Geological Survey, ensuring a false alarm rate below 1%.
Latin American countries are also contributing satellite data. Peru’s National Commission for Aerospace Research and Development provided images from the PeruSAT-1 satellite to Venezuela’s Bolivarian Agency for Space Activities (ABAE). Launched in 2016 and nearing the end of its operational life, PeruSAT-1 orbits at about 702 km altitude with sub-1-meter resolution, capturing around 500,000 images used in disaster management, public works monitoring, and illicit activity detection.
ABAE data reveals ground deformation associated with movement along the San Sebastián Fault, a major tectonic feature in northern Venezuela linked to recent earthquakes. The agency explained that the data visualizes abrupt changes on both sides of the fault, showing where displacement was concentrated, aiding scientists in understanding the tremors.
Recovery efforts continue, but hopes of finding more survivors are fading. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) preliminarily estimates direct physical damage at $6.7 billion, about 6% of the country’s GDP. This assessment was conducted using a UNDP tool that combines satellite imagery with GIS technology to provide a rapid overview of damage and vulnerable populations.
