Why Venezuela’s Second Earthquake Was So Damaging to Buildings
A rare 'seismic doublet'—two major earthquakes occurring just 39 seconds apart—caused significant structural damage in Venezuela. Experts note that the shallow depth of the quakes and a lack of earthquake-preparedness culture exacerbated the destruction.
Why it matters
It explains the geological and structural reasons behind the severity of the disaster, highlighting the need for better seismic infrastructure.
Neither of them knew that this was not just a single terrible earthquake but instead a rare phenomenon. On June 24, Venezuela experienced a seismic doublet that saw earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 occur just 39 seconds apart. The first tremor occurred with its epicenter in Yaracuy. Just a few seconds later, an even more intense earthquake shook the same region again.
The article relies on scientific and engineering explanations for the event.
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