Two powerful earthquakes (Magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5), known as doublets, struck western Venezuela near Yumare, about 160 km west of Caracas region.
- In a typical earthquake sequence, the larger quake is followed by a series of smaller aftershocks.
- Doublets, however, are generally defined as earthquakes of similar magnitude that originate from distinct but closely related ruptures and occur in quick succession.
- The doublets reflect a complex rupture interaction, where the first rupture transfers stress to a nearby fault segment, triggering the second major earthquake.
- Venezuela's high seismic vulnerability stems from its location on the active Caribbean–South American plate boundary with multiple active strike-slip fault systems including Boconó, San Sebastián.
About Earthquake
- It is the sudden shaking of the Earth's surface caused by the sudden release of energy when rocks on either side of a fault slip past each other.
- The point inside the Earth where the rupture begins is called the Hypocentre (Focus).
- The point directly above the hypocentre on the Earth's surface is called the Epicentre.
Major Earthquake prone Areas around the world
- Pacific Ring of Fire (Japan, Indonesia, Philippines, New Zealand, Alaska, Chile, Peru)
- Alpide Belt (Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Himalayas, Myanmar)
- Caribbean Plate Boundary (Venezuela, Haiti, Dominican Republic)
- East African Rift System (Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda)
- San Andreas Fault (California, USA)
