Venezuela is located in the South American plate. Although a collision of tectonic plates does not run through Venezuela, it is near the "complex deformation zone"near the Caribbean and South American Plates (Mazuera et. al). The line indicating a collision of plates runs fairly along the east coast of South America. Looking at the map of world seismicity, I can see that Venezuela is affected majorly on the northwestern coast. Which could be the result of an earthquake in Caracas in 1967 with a magnitude of 6.6 and another recorded earthquake in 2018 in Carupano with a magnitude of 7.3. The location of Venezuela makes it earthquake prone especially in places like Caracas since it is located almost directly next to the transform boundary of Caribbean and South American tectonic plates. Also with being located in the Boconó fault that runs through the Mérida Andes (Sylvester). Compared to earthquakes, there is not much volcanic activity in Venezuela.
Venezuelan Seismicity
Caribbean and South American plates
Although Venezuela is not indicated its northeastern coast is right next to the transform boundary of these two plates
It is interesting to see how countries like Venezuela that are not located on or near boundaries can still be greatly affected by earthquakes. I chose Israel to study (which is located on the African-Arabian plate boundary) and found that the Great Rift valley near to it produces great earthquakes as well. I also appreciate the extra details of earthquakes that have affected your country and their magnitudes!
Venezuela's proximity is not too far from the heavy seismic zone of the Ring of Fire, with Colombia being a border country to Venezuela. From my understanding, the country of Venezuela still experiences earthquakes commonly; however, big magnitude earthquakes do not happen frequently. In 2018, Venezuela was shaken by a 7.3 quake, which was the largest to strike Venezuela since 1900, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
It is interesting to see how countries like Venezuela that are not located on or near boundaries can still be greatly affected by earthquakes. I chose Israel to study (which is located on the African-Arabian plate boundary) and found that the Great Rift valley near to it produces great earthquakes as well. I also appreciate the extra details of earthquakes that have affected your country and their magnitudes!
ReplyDeleteVenezuela's proximity is not too far from the heavy seismic zone of the Ring of Fire, with Colombia being a border country to Venezuela. From my understanding, the country of Venezuela still experiences earthquakes commonly; however, big magnitude earthquakes do not happen frequently. In 2018, Venezuela was shaken by a 7.3 quake, which was the largest to strike Venezuela since 1900, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2018/08/22/venezuela-hit-7-3-magnitude-earthquake-largest-since-1900/1061117002/