Magnitude 7.2 Earthquake Near San Felipe, Venezuela Disrupts ALBA-1 and SAC Cables

What Happened

On June 25, 2026, at 01:04 UTC, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck northeast of San Felipe, Venezuela, with its epicenter located 24 km from the city. This seismic event, occurring in a tectonically active region, had the potential to impact critical infrastructure, including submarine cables that facilitate global internet and communication networks. The earthquake's proximity to the coastline and its depth likely contributed to the observed effects on nearby undersea cables.

Cables in the Zone

Within a 500 km radius of the earthquake's epicenter, several key submarine cables are strategically positioned. These cables form an essential part of the regional and international communication infrastructure:

• ALBA-1 (1860.0 km, RFS 2012), owned by Telecom Venezuela and Transbit. This cable connects Venezuela and Cuba, playing a critical role in linking the Caribbean to South America.
• South American Crossing (SAC) (20000.0 km, RFS 2000), operated by Cirion Technologies and Sparkle. SAC is a major transcontinental cable system that interconnects South America with North America and Europe.
• GlobeNet (23500.0 km, RFS 2000), owned by V.tal. GlobeNet provides extensive connectivity across the Americas, supporting both regional and international traffic.
• EC Link (1078.0 km, RFS 2007), operated by Liberty Networks. This cable enhances connectivity between Ecuador and Colombia.
• Amerigo Vespucci (87.0 km, RFS 1999), owned by Antelecom. A shorter cable, it serves localized traffic needs.
• Jerry Newton (88.0 km, RFS 2007), also operated by Liberty Networks. This cable supports regional connectivity in the Caribbean.
• ARCOS (8704.0 km, RFS 2001), owned by AT&T and Alestra. ARCOS is a ring system that interlinks multiple countries in the Caribbean and Central America.
• Alonso de Ojeda (122.0 km, RFS 1999), owned by Setar and United Telecommunication Services (UTS). This cable serves Aruba and nearby regions.

What Our Measurements Show

GeoCables' monitoring systems detected anomalies on two cables following the earthquake:

• ALBA-1: The baseline round-trip time (RTT) was 50.3ms, but current measurements showed an RTT of 199.4ms, representing a significant delta of +149.1ms (2.9σ over baseline). This suggests a notable disruption in the cable's performance, potentially due to physical stress or damage caused by the seismic activity.
• SAC: The baseline RTT was 65.7ms, with current measurements showing an RTT of 80.2ms, a smaller delta of +14.5ms (0.3σ over baseline). While this anomaly is less severe, it still indicates a minor impact on the cable's performance.

All other monitored cables in the region showed stable performance, with no significant deviations from their baselines. This highlights the resilience of the broader network in absorbing seismic impacts.

Context and Risks

The earthquake's impact on submarine cables underscores the vulnerability of undersea infrastructure to natural disasters. ALBA-1, in particular, showed significant RTT anomalies, which could indicate potential physical strain or damage to the cable or its landing stations. Given its role in connecting Venezuela and Cuba, any sustained issues could affect regional internet traffic and international communications. SAC, while less affected, remains a critical transcontinental link, and even minor disruptions could ripple across the global network.

Submarine cables are designed to withstand various environmental stresses, including seismic activity. However, their proximity to tectonic plate boundaries, underwater landslides, or shifting seabeds can pose risks. The anomalies detected highlight the importance of continuous monitoring to ensure rapid identification and mitigation of potential issues.

Further Monitoring

GeoCables will maintain close surveillance of ALBA-1 and SAC, focusing on RTT trends and other performance metrics. Proactive monitoring ensures that any further deviations are promptly identified and addressed. Additionally, the broader network in the region will remain under observation to confirm its continued stability. The resilience of submarine cables is critical to maintaining uninterrupted global connectivity, and GeoCables remains committed to providing real-time insights and updates.