According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), three powerful earthquakes struck different parts of the world within a few hours on Thursday, including two in Venezuela, a 6.9 magnitude earthquake in northeastern Japan and a 5.6 magnitude earthquake in Northern California. While the cluster of seismic events raised questions about whether they were linked, experts say the earthquakes were unrelated.The most intense impact was recorded in Venezuela, where the USGS recorded back-to-back earthquakes of magnitude 7.5 and 7.2 within seconds. The powerful tremors caused widespread panic across the country, with many buildings collapsing in the capital Caracas, roads cracked and residents forced into the streets as emergency teams rushed to affected areas.The mayor of Caracas’s Chacao district confirmed that the earthquake caused the deaths, although the exact death toll has not yet been released. Rescue operations are underway, with officials warning that casualties could rise as search efforts proceed.Venezuela’s president said about 20 aftershocks were recorded after the double earthquake. The U.S. Tsunami Warning System also issued a tsunami threat for parts of the Caribbean, while officials continued to monitor sea level changes and advised coastal residents to remain vigilant.A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck off the northeast coast of Japan, according to the USGS. Officials said no tsunami warning was issued, no immediate injuries were reported and no irregularities were found at the nuclear facilities.The government of Japan established an emergency team to gather information from the affected Tohoku region and prepare for disaster relief operations. The epicenter of the earthquake was located off the coast of Iwate Prefecture at a depth of about 50 kilometers. The strongest tremors were recorded in Aomori Prefecture, where the intensity reached 6-plus on Japan’s seven-point seismic scale, making it difficult for people to stand.Tohoku Electric Power said no abnormalities were found at its Onagawa and idled Higashidori nuclear power plants, while the Nuclear Regulation Authority reported no problems at nearby nuclear facilities. East Japan Railway temporarily suspended portions of the Tohoku Shinkansen and other train services, and some expressways were closed for inspection.In the United States, the USGS reported a magnitude 5.6 earthquake in northern California. The earthquake occurred about 11 kilometers north of Redwood Valley at a depth of 8.1 kilometers. There were no immediate reports of damage, while California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office said it was coordinating with emergency officials and assessing potential impacts.The occurrence of three significant earthquakes on the same day raised questions about whether one event might have triggered the other.Speaking to CNN, Caltech seismologist Dr. Lucy Jones said the earthquakes occurred on separate fault systems and plate boundaries, meaning one did not trigger the other. He said large earthquakes thousands of miles away generally do not increase the likelihood of another large earthquake elsewhere.According to CNN, although the timing may seem unusual, the locations are not. Each earthquake occurred at well-known active plate boundaries where stress has been building for decades or even centuries. In these regions, large earthquakes are an expected part of the Earth’s natural cycle, even though it is impossible to predict exactly when an earthquake will occur.Japan is one of the most seismically active countries in the world, accounting for about a fifth of all earthquakes of magnitude 6 or greater. In 2011, the country was hit by a magnitude 9 earthquake and tsunami, causing the Fukushima nuclear disaster.