Foreshocks are earthquakes that precede larger earthquakes in the same location. However, an earthquake cannot be identified as a foreshock until after a larger earthquake in the same area occurs, according to the USGS.
On Wednesday, Venezuela was hit by back-to-back powerful earthquakes measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, causing extensive damage in the capital, Caracas.
According to the USGS, the second quake was the mainshock of a severe seismic doublet sequence.
A seismic doublet is defined as two earthquakes of similar magnitude that occur close in time and proximity, the USGS said.
In September 2025, the country experienced a seismic doublet when magnitude 6.2 and 6.3 earthquakes shook western and northern Venezuela.
