The earthquake has caused the most devastation in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela.
Two earthquakes that occurred within 40 seconds on Wednesday evening caused devastation in Venezuela. The first earthquake was of 7.2 magnitude and the second was of 7.5 magnitude. The US Geological Survey says that more than 10 thousand people are likely to die in this disaster. The maximum devastation has occurred in the capital Caracas. Buildings have collapsed. A cloud of dust has been seen rising. People looked scared. Part of the roof of Caracas airport collapsed. Now the question is why the biggest impact has been felt in the capital Caracas.
Many reasons have been given for the maximum impact of the earthquake being in the capital. Earthquake expert Lucy Jones says that this is so frightening because a very powerful earthquake found millions of people living in one place. Caracas is the most densely populated city in Venezuela, so the damage naturally occurred here. The reason is not limited to this only. The scientific aspect of this is something else. Now let us understand this also.
The real reason for the greatest destruction?
A major reason for the destruction in Caracas is its location. According to the report of Science Direct, there is the highest risk of earthquake here because this location is on an active tectonic boundary between the Caribbean and South American plates, where large fault systems like San Sebastian and Tacagua-El Avila are present.
The city has densely populated parts, moist soil and steep hills. This risk increases further due to weak infrastructure built on the basis of outdated anti-earthquake regulations. This is the reason why there has been more destruction here.
A damaged building is seen in the Los Palos Grandes neighborhood of Caracas. Many buildings have collapsed here, but the exact number of dead and injured has not been confirmed yet.
Impact of earthquake 2 to 5 times more
Caracas is situated in an alluvial valley where there are soft layers of soil. The effect of earthquake waves on them is 2 to 5 times more. This means that the shock is greater than that of cities standing on solid stone. Venezuela is already struggling with political and economic crisis and the earthquake has increased its problems even further.
Photo of the earthquake in Venezuela.
CNN reports that a senior structural engineer says that a major reason for the devastation in Caracas is that old buildings were built according to old construction standards, which were not able to withstand such an earthquake.
Venezuela has been struggling with an economic crisis for a long time. This is the reason why there is zero maintenance here. Inflation rate in the country will reach above 500% in 2025 and common people are struggling for everyday life. In such a situation, the buildings were not repaired and maintained for years and these weak structures immediately collapsed in the earthquake.
The earthquake that occurred in Venezuela has been called a doublet earthquake.
There was no earthquake here, but a double earthquake.
Another reason for the devastation is the Doublet earthquake. This earthquake is stronger than a normal earthquake. In a normal earthquake the second shock is weak, but in a doublet the second shock is stronger. First shock in Venezuela It was of 7.2 intensity and the second one was of 7.5 intensity. When two earthquakes occur at a very short interval of time and the intensity is high then it is called doublet earthquake.
There is no chance to recover in a double earthquake. This is the reason why it is more destructive because in a doublet earthquake, the shock comes with equal energy rather than being weak.
Also read: Two tremors in 40 seconds, what is the doublet earthquake that brought devastation in Venezuela?
