‘Earth still shaking’: Venezuela faces ongoing aftershock after twin earthquakes | Expert explains dire situation
The search for survivors in Venezuela entered its third day on Saturday, with rescue teams and residents racing against time to locate people trapped beneath
The search for survivors in Venezuela entered its third day on Saturday, with rescue teams and residents racing against time to locate people trapped beneath the rubble after powerful 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes devastated parts of the country, as reported by AP. In La Guaira, one of the worst-affected states, international rescue crews, local volunteers, and families searching for missing loved ones used shovels, heavy machinery, ropes, and even their bare hands to clear collapsed homes and apartment buildings. Humanitarian agencies say the first 48 to 72 hours after a disaster are the most critical for finding survivors, although chances improve if those trapped have access to food and water, AP reported. Quick answers to key questions • 5 QUESTIONS 1 What was the magnitude of the twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela? ⌵ The twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela measured 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude. 2 Why are the first 48 to 72 hours critical after an earthquake? ⌵ The first 48 to 72 hours are crucial for rescuing survivors because the chances of finding those trapped beneath rubble decrease significantly after this period. 3 How many aftershocks have been recorded since the twin earthquakes in Venezuela? ⌵ Since the twin earthquakes, more than 190 aftershocks have been recorded, although most have been imperceptible. 4 Should residents stay in their homes after an earthquake? ⌵ Residents are advised to avoid returning to damaged homes due to the ongoing risk of aftershocks, which may cause further collapse. 5 What has been the response from international rescue teams to the earthquakes in Venezuela?
⌵ International rescue teams from various countries have arrived to assist, with over 1,600 personnel already in Venezuela to aid in search and rescue operations. The death toll from Wednesday's twin earthquakes rose to at least 920 by Friday, while more than 51,000 people remained missing. Residents in the hardest-hit areas said they had seen limited presence of government rescue teams, despite official claims of a large-scale emergency response. Twin earthquakes According to a report by Le Monde, Feliciano De Santis, president of the Venezuelan Geological Society and a professor of geothermal studies at the Central University of Venezuela, spent 12 years as a researcher at the Venezuelan Foundation for Seismological Research (FUNVISIS). De Santis told Le Monde that the occurrence of two powerful earthquakes within a short span is an uncommon phenomenon. He noted that Wednesday's twin quakes resemble the devastating 1902 earthquake. Although seismic instruments were not available at the time, historical accounts and the extent of the destruction suggest that the 1902 event was also caused by a seismic doublet. “A century apart, the epicenters were in the same region. The fault there is very linear, which means a rupture in one segment can trigger another, with nothing to stop it. But, as I said, we still lack data,” Feliciano De Santis added. Asked why the US Geological Survey (USGS) provided details on the twin earthquakes, including their epicentres and depth, despite Venezuela's own monitoring capabilities, De Santis pointed to the country's seismic history. He explained that Venezuela's first seismograph was supplied by the United States during the Cold War to help monitor potential nuclear explosions.
The BriefWire