A vivid red sunset appeared over Caracas on June 30, 2024, following two powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela the previous week [1, 2].
The atmospheric phenomenon occurred as the nation grappled with a humanitarian crisis, linking the visual anomaly to the physical destruction caused by the seismic events.
The earthquakes, which measured 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale [1], struck between June 23 and June 24, 2024 [2]. The Venezuelan government said 1,943 people were killed in the disasters [1]. Thousands of others were injured, and approximately 16,000 people were left homeless [1].
NASA estimates that nearly 59,000 buildings were damaged or destroyed across the affected regions [1]. This widespread structural collapse contributed to the environmental conditions observed in the capital city.
Scientists said the red glow was the "candilazo" phenomenon [2]. This effect occurs when sunlight scatters off dust, ash, and aerosols that have been lofted high into the atmosphere [2]. In this instance, the powerful earthquakes pushed massive amounts of particulate matter into the air, creating a filter that shifted the sunset's color to a deep crimson.
Residents of Caracas observed the eerie light as the city began the process of recovery. The atmospheric display served as a visible reminder of the geological violence that occurred just days prior [1, 2].
“The Venezuelan government said 1,943 people were killed in the disasters.”
The occurrence of the candilazo phenomenon highlights the scale of the seismic disruption in Venezuela. By lofting enough particulate matter to alter the color of the sky over a major capital, the earthquakes demonstrated a level of surface disturbance that correlates with the high casualty count and massive infrastructure loss reported by government and satellite data.
