Scientists have reported on a significant seismic event in Venezuela, detailing two major tremors that struck in rapid succession. According to reports, the initial earthquake occurred on Wednesday at 18:04 local time in the northern central region of the country. This first quake registered a magnitude of 7.1 on the Richter scale, affecting the federal state of Yaracuy at an approximate depth of 20 kilometers.
A second, even more powerful earthquake followed just 39 seconds later, hitting nearly the same coordinates and reaching a magnitude of 7.5. The American Geological Institute confirmed that this sequence was not characteristic of a typical aftershock. Instead, experts identified it as a ‘double’ earthquake.
The scientific explanation provided indicates that the primary cause was the simultaneous activation of two nearby and intertwined faults within the Earth’s crust. The shallow depth of the crustal structure was highlighted as a crucial contributing factor to the intensity of the natural disaster. Scientists emphasized that the probability of two such separate earthquakes happening almost simultaneously is statistically low, estimated to be less than once in a thousand years.
The incident underscores the volatile nature of the tectonic activity in the region, leaving authorities and residents to assess the damage following the powerful seismic activity.
Topics: #earthquake #almost #magnitude
