RATTLED BY AN EARTHQUAKE

Aug 24, 2018 Editorial

A powerful earthquake rocked poverty-stricken Venezuela on Tuesday evening. It was centered near the Venezuelan town of Guiria and was felt in many areas of the country including the capital, Caracas. While there were no reports of damage to property, thousands of Venezuelans ran onto the streets and were thankful that no life was lost. The earthquake also rattled Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and Grenada and was felt by residents as far north as St. Lucia, Barbados and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, as well as in Suriname, Brazil and Colombia.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) and the University of the West Indies’ Seismic Research Centre (UWISRC) have reported that while there have been 17 previous M6+ earthquakes in the region – this one was 7.3 – earthquakes with a magnitude of 6.8 or higher on the Richter scale are rare for the region. However, USGS and the UWISRC have warned that the region is an earthquake zone because of a particular fault line known as the El Pilar Fault that runs through the north of the region. Those of us who have very little knowledge of geology should know that for a long time fault lines power up and store energy which must be released.
Sixteen hours after the region was hit by the earthquake, a strong aftershock measuring 5.9 occurred in Venezuela and was felt in Trinidad and Tobago and in several other Caribbean islands. The aftershock occurred in the same area as the earthquake.
According to Seismologist Dr. Joal Latchman of the UWISRC, aftershocks of this magnitude are normal and are expected, given the strength of the earthquake. The Seismologist has cautioned residents of the region that more aftershocks from Tuesday evening’s strong earthquake can be expected in the coming days. She also warned residents of the region that although earthquakes cannot be predicted, another one of similar magnitude is possible.
While there was little damage to property in Venezuela, Guyana and many other Caribbean Islands, it is believed that Trinidad and Tobago was hit the hardest. The massive earthquake which was said to have lasted about 90 seconds in Trinidad and Tobago sent people scampering into the streets as the sound of police and ambulance sirens blared through Port of Spain. Several buildings swayed, walls collapsed and many vehicles were damaged, but there were no reports of deaths or anyone being seriously injured. However, images of videos showed several buildings damaged and cracks in the roads and on some bridges. It has left some residents of the twin island shaken and without electricity and telephone service. Prime Minister Keith Rowley reminded his people that Trinidad and Tobago is in an earthquake zone.
In Guyana, the earthquake which lasted for a little over a minute and was felt all across the coastal belt and further inland. We were very fortunate not to have had any major collapse of houses or serious structural damage to buildings, roads or bridges. Fortunately, there has been no loss of life or any serious injury to persons.
The tremor caused many to run into the streets. There were no tsunami warnings; however sea level fluctuations above the normal tide range have occurred since the unsettling episode. It certainly wasn’t funny to be rattled by an earthquake.

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