California earthquake sparks San Andreas Fault fears as locals left shaken

California earthquake sparks San Andreas Fault fears as locals left shaken

Alana Loftus

A magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck near Redwood Valley, in Northern California, on Wednesday morning.

The sizeable tremor was felt around 8:10 a.m. Pacific time. There were no immediate reports of major damage or injuries. According to USGS, the quake had a depth of about 5 miles. Three aftershocks were reported between 8 and 9:30 pm. Many residents of the area received an alert on their phones from the Myshake app, alerting them to the earthquake.

At approximately 8:16 a.m., the United States Geological Survey updated the strength of the shake to 5.6, about 6.8 miles north of Redwood Valley. People in areas as far as Modesto also reported feeling the quake. It comes amid fears of a super volcano after large numbers of animals suddenly fled an iconic US location.

Local outlet KCRA reported that the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office was assessing any damage caused by the earthquake. Cal Fire's Howard Forest Emergency Command Center had not received any reports of damage a couple of hours after the incident took place.

Some reports have linked Wednesday's earthquake to the Maacama Fault, the northernmost segment of the Hayward Fault, which is a subsystem of the San Andreas Fault.

Scientists have warned that the stress levels along the southern San Andreas Fault are at their highest in 1,000 years, IFL Science reported.

The system is in a critically loaded state and has not been significantly released since the 1857 Fort Tejon earthquake, according to Research published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth.

The high-stress state increases the likelihood of large earthquakes that could cause serious damage to major California cities.

Northern California remains a highly active zone for earthquakes, experiencing hundreds of minor ones every year.

"Heavy Casualties" After Massive Twin Quakes Rock Venezuela, Topple Buildings; "International Response May Be Needed"

"Heavy Casualties" After Massive Twin Quakes Rock Venezuela, Topple Buildings; "International Response May Be Needed"

TYLER DURDEN

The USGS said the first quake registered a magnitude of 7.1, with an epicenter near Morón, about 104 miles west of Caracas, at a depth of 8 miles. One minute later, a similarly massive magnitude 7.5 quake struck nearby, roughly 10 miles southwest of Morón, at a depth of 6 miles. Remarkably, the dual quake was followed almost immediately across the world by a 6.9 magnitude temblor in northern Japan, which rattled buildings in Tokyo.

USGS issued a red-alert mass-casualty warning due to the combination of shallow depth, heavy population exposure, vulnerable buildings, and estimated losses large enough to require an international response.

"Red alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. High casualties and extensive damage are probable and the disaster is likely widespread. Past red alerts have required a national or international response," USGS said, adding, "Estimated economic losses are 2-20% GDP of Venezuela."

In the Palos Grandes neighborhood in eastern Caracas, residents tried frantically to rescue people trapped under the debris of collapsed buildings, Bloomberg reports. Terrified families remained in the streets as the capital was hit by aftershocks. Venezuelan migrants in Colombia and elsewhere sought to reach relatives, but cellphone coverage was down in swathes of the country.

The early footage emerging from the devastation is dramatic:

Local news showed significant damage to the capital's airport, with parts of the roof collapsing and throwing up thick clouds of gray dust. 

Devastating scenes emerge from La Guaira, Venezuela, following a powerful earthquake that struck the region.

Passengers panic and run for cover at Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, Venezuela, as the terminal shakes and power flickers, resulting from a massive 7.5 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Caracas.

Immense damage seen to buildings across Venezuela’s capital of Caracas, following what now appears to have been a “double-event” 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquake back-to-back near the coast in Northern Venezuela, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

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Venezuela Quakes: Live Updates

Live Updates: Powerful back-to-back earthquakes strike Venezuela, collapsing buildings in Caracas

Summary

• Two major earthquakes shook the Venezuelan capital of Caracas seconds apart - with the first a magnitude of 7.2 and the second 7.5

• Buildings have collapsed as residents poured out into the streets, and the interior ministerhas asked people to leave their homes 

• High casualties and extensive damage are probable, with the US Geological Survey (USGS) saying there is a 44% chance the death toll will surpass 10,000

• Venezuela was celebrating a national holiday and many people would have been at home when the quakes struck at 18:04 local time (23:04 BST)

• The quakes hit an area west of Caracas, and could be felt throughout the country and as far away as Bogota, Colombia

• BBC News Mundo, our Spanish language website, is also providing live updates

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

Back-to-back powerful earthquakes hit Venezuela (7.1, 7.5), collapsing buildings in the capital of Caracas

Back-to-back powerful earthquakes hit Venezuela, collapsing buildings in the capital of Caracas

Back-to-back powerful earthquakes slammed Venezuela on Wednesday evening, collapsing buildings in the capital of Caracas.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the first earthquake had a magnitude of 7.1 and its epicenter was west of the community of Morón, located along the country’s Caribbean coast, about 168 kilometers (104 miles) west of Caracas. The quake had a depth of 13 kilometers (8 miles).

The USGS reported an even larger 7.5-magnitude earthquake just a minute later. The second quake had a depth of 10 kilometers and its epicenter was 16 kilometers (10 miles) southwest of Morón.

The quakes are among the strongest to strike Venezuela in more than a century.

The U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami alert for Virgin Islands. Authorities in the Dominican Republic also issued one for the island. Another alert for Puerto Rico was quickly lifted.

People evacuated swaying buildings in Caracas and remained outside, many visibly shocked as they saw entire walls that had collapsed, making furniture visible from the street. Dust columns could also be seen in two neighborhoods of the capital, where restaurants and other businesses are typically busy.

Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said the quake could be felt in several states. The Altamira neighborhood in Caracas had “alarming situations” with collapsed homes and buildings, he said, suggesting people were injured in the earthquake and asking motorists to give way to ambulances and other emergency vehicles.

“We understand that some people may be desperate, but we are acting according to protocols to activate aid and rescue efforts to help those who need it most,” Cabello said on state television. “Be very careful with children and the elderly; call each other and check that no one has been harmed.”

He also urged people to remain outside as aftershocks could further damage some structures.

“The building really shook from side to side. Unreal. The force was incredibly strong,” Caracas resident Roberto Damas said. “We were walking and it was tossing us around. Everything in the apartment fell. Well, thank God we were able to get out.”

Strong 7.1, 7.5 magnitude earthquakes hit Venezuela; tsunami threats issued as buildings sway in Caracas

Massive back-to-back earthquakes struck Venezuela Wednesday evening local time, triggering tsunami threats for Venezuela, Aruba and Bonaire, according to the US Tsunamic Warning System. Additionally, advisory threats were issued to Puerto Rico and the British Virgin Islands.

An initial major 7.1-magnitude earthquake (eventually updated to 7.2-magnitude) at 6:04 pm local time was followed by an even larger 7.5-magnitude quake just minutes later, according to the US Geological Survey (USGC). 

USGS reported the first earthquake’s epicentre was west of the community of Morón, located along the country’s Caribbean coast, about 168 kilometers (104 miles) west of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas. The earthquake happened 28 kilometres northwest of Montalban, where some of Venezuela’s largest refineries are located.

Merely minutes later, the 7.5-magnitude quake was reported 16 kms southwest of Moron at a depth of 10 kms.

Buildings collapse after Venezuelan earthquakes

Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said the earthquake could be felt in several states, highlighting that the Altamira neighborhood in Caracas was faced with “alarming situations” as several homes and buildings collapsed in the aftermath of the two quakes, both over 7-magnitude. 

Warning about aftershocks, the minister urged people to remain outside buildings amid concerns tied to further structural damage.

Videos of the development surfacing on social media showed the damaged caused by the powerful tremors as dust covering some neighbourhoods in Caracas. Clips geolocated by CNN even captured worrying visuals of a collapsed building in the capital.

High casualties and extensive damage are probable, according to the US Geological Survey. 

Colombian residents are said to have felt the tremors in the capital of Bogota as well.

This is a developing story.

2 powerful back-to-back earthquakes rattle Venezuela, damage and injuries reported

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