Why Venezuela Is So Vulnerable to Earthquakes |
Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, was badly affected by recent earthquakes that caused widespread damage to its poor infrastructure. The two powerful earthquakes struck one after another, measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, leading to major destruction of homes, hospitals, and infrastructure. The seriousness of the disasters soon became visible. According to Al Jazeera, the death toll rose from 164 to 235 within 72 hours after the disaster, and more than 4,300 people were injured. The Venezuelan information ministry has reported more than 3,300 casualties and 16,470 injured so far. The twin earthquakes have not only destroyed lives but also left more than 17,000 people homeless.
The US Geological Survey estimates the death toll could increase drastically, and the worst possible outcome could exceed 10,000. However, the scale of a disaster cannot be measured by magnitude alone; other parameters contribute to its damage. The city of Caracas lies in a deep sedimentary basin. Its soft soil increases the intensity of earthquake shaking.
Geological Vulnerability and Seismic Risk
Caracas’s geology is one of the major factors that increase its earthquake risk. Weak soil weakens the infrastructure because it does not absorb the seismic energy completely. Unlike hard soil, it strengthens the waves and increases the duration of an earthquake’s vibration. As a result, it puts densely populated areas and high-rise buildings at high risk. Another reason for the high destruction is the shallow depth of the earthquake.
The earthquakes that originate closer to the surface generate more energy on the surface than other quakes. In the case of Venezuela, the nature of these earthquakes caused greater destruction of infrastructure, roads, and public facilities. The occurrence of two immediate high-intensity earthquakes worsened the situation, making the vulnerability more severe. This led to the........