As in other parts of Latin America and the world, Venezuela is a country with high seismic intensity, due to the convergence of the South American and Caribbean tectonic plates, in addition to the faults that it presents in Boconó, El Pilar and San Sebastián. All reports on tremorsearthquakes and earthquakes can be found on the official website or social networks of FUNVISIS (Venezuelan Foundation for Seismological Research).
«The earthquakes in Venezuela are the product of contact between the Caribbean and South American tectonic plates. The movement of the Caribbean plate to the east with respect to the South American plate produces significant seismic activity », he explains on his Funvisis website.
See how FUNVISIS reports on today’s tremor in Venezuela
What should be included in the emergency backpack for an earthquake in Venezuela
If you need to prepare your emergency backpack for the house or apartment in case of an earthquake in the country, you will have to have these objects:
- Hygiene items: hand and bath towels; toothbrush, toothpaste and toilet soap.
- First aid kit: bandages, gauze, alcohol, pills, hydrogen peroxide, red aseptil, treatment pills for a family member.
- Cash: preferred currencies.
- Shelter: fleece blanket and footwear.
What should I do in case of an earthquake?
Before an earthquake, you will have to identify the objects in your house that could become a danger during an earthquake, for example; paintings, mirrors, lamps, hanging pots, among others. These objects should be relocated or secured so that they cannot fall on you in an earthquake.
You can also practice earthquake drills. With time, each member of your family, office or school should know where to stand in case of a tremor or earthquake; for example, under a sturdy desk or table.
What is the most tragic earthquake in the history of Venezuela?
The largest earthquake that the Venezuelan territory experienced was on October 21, 1766, a magnitude 7.9 earthquake that shook Maracaibo, Caracas, Cumaná, Sucre and Nueva Esparta in Venezuela. So far it is considered the largest in the history of national seismicity, according to Funvisis.