Earthquake

Why earthquakes of similar magnitude can have very different outcomes

Venezuela and Japan were both rocked by powerful earthquakes on June 24, but why did one suffer widespread destruction while the other escaped with limited damage?

Venezuelans cling to hope as US rebuffs criticisms of govt quake response

Black smoke from fires in flattened buildings and the smell of decomposing bodies spread across ruins Thursday, eight days after Venezuela's devastating earthquakes, while rescue teams pulled on a thread of hope that they might still find survivors trapped beneath the rubble. As officials carried body bags and stacked caskets in the port city of Catia La Mar, joy briefly broke through the pervading misery that has blanketed Venezuela's northern La Guaira on Thursday morning when rescue teams pulled a 43-year-old man out of the rubble he was buried under for nearly eight days. Rescuers from across the Americas had worked for about 100 hours to pull Hernan Alberto Gil Flores from the collapsed shopping mall under which he was buried. Trapped in an air pocket, he'd survived on the water and sustenance rescuers passed him through the rubble. He was pulled out of the ruins on a stretcher and was carried to an ambulance as throngs of people cheered in a rare moment of victory. Thousands

Venezuela turns to private sector to fill state void in earthquake relief

Private businesses are rushing to fill the void from the government's earthquake response, with construction, engineering and other firms deploying heavy machinery, supplies, food across the country

Death toll in Venezuela earthquake nears 2,000; Machado stuck in Panama

Authorities say rescue and relief operations are expanding as aftershocks subside, with thousands injured and displaced following last week's twin earthquakes

Venezuela earthquake toll hits 1,719; govt sets up shelters for displaced

More than 22,000 people are receiving treatment and nearly 16,000 have been displaced following the devastating earthquakes that struck on June 24

Venezuelan tremors: Earthquakes push healthcare system to the brink

Two powerful 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes struck within a minute of each other on Wednesday evening

Another 5.6-magnitude quake hits Venezuela days after deadly twin temblors

The offshore tremor struck near Aragua days after twin earthquakes devastated parts of Venezuela, while rescue and recovery operations continued amid complaints of poor coordination

Venezuela earthquake: Death toll tops 1,400 as rescue efforts intensify

More than 1,600 foreign rescuers have joined search operations in the hardest-hit coastal areas as authorities race to find survivors amid hundreds of aftershocks

6.1-magnitude quake off northeast Japan rattles coast, no tsunami alert

A magnitude-6.1 earthquake rattled northeastern Japan early Sunday, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the latest in a series of major temblors hitting the region. No tsunami warning was issued and there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties. But the recent spate of quakes coming during typhoon season has set off worries about mudslides. Sunday's quake struck off the coast of Iwate Prefecture at 7:25 a.m. local time, with a depth of about 40 kilometers (25 miles), and shook Aomori Prefecture and other nearby regions. Japan is prone to quakes and tsunami. A series of quakes have hit lately, including a 7.2 magnitude quake that struck Thursday in the area close to Sunday's quake. That magnitude was revised upward from a preliminary estimate. The agency has warned other quakes may follow. A magnitude 5.6 earthquake shook Yamanashi Prefecture and nearby areas, which are near Mount Fuji and west of Tokyo, on Friday.

Magnitude 6 quake hits Afghanistan's Hindu Kush, tremors felt in Delhi-NCR

Strong tremors were also felt across the Delhi-NCR region following the earthquake

Toll from Venezuela earthquakes climbs to at least 920 dead, 3,360 injured

The toll from the back-to-back earthquakes that devastated Venezuela this week climbed Friday to at least 920 dead and 3,360 injured, authorities said. The new figures were announced by Jorge Rodriguez, the president of the country's National Assembly. The toll is likely to go higher as search-and-rescue operations continue. Many families say their loved ones are still buried under the rubble. "Each person saved is a miracle," Rodriguez said.

Venezuela earthquake death toll rises to 188 as rescue efforts expand

The natural disaster has killed at least 188 people and injured more than 1,500 others in a country where emergency response capacity is limited after years of political and economic turmoil

Thousands feared dead in Venezuela after two powerful earthquakes

Acting Venezuela President Rodriguez said early Thursday there are at least 32 people dead and 700 injured after back-to-back powerful earthquakes struck the country Wednesday evening. She warned the toll was expected to rise as rescuers searched collapsed buildings and emergency crews reached devastated areas after the 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes roiled the region. La Guaria apparently was the hardest hit state, she said. "Dozens of buildings have collapsed, and we are engaged in the arduous task of rescuing the lives that God allows us to save. The state of La Guaira is facing a true tragedy and has become a disaster zone," she said.

PM Modi offers assistance to Venezuela after powerful earthquakes

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed sadness over the devastation caused by the earthquakes in Venezuela, and said India stands ready to extend all possible assistance to the Latin American country. Powerful earthquakes struck off the coast of Venezuela on Wednesday evening, leaving at least 32 people dead and 700 injured. "Deeply saddened by the devastation caused by the severe earthquakes in Venezuela. On behalf of the people of India, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of Venezuela, especially to the families who have lost their loved ones," Modi said in a post on X. The prime minister said India prays for the speedy recovery of those injured and stand in solidarity with all those affected during this difficult time. "India stands ready to extend all possible assistance," he added.

Powerful 7.2 magnitude earthquake hits Venezuela, 'high casualties' likely

Twin earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude struck near Caracas, triggering building collapses and emergency rescue efforts; USGS warns of widespread destruction and potential mass casualties

Magnitude 6.9 earthquake strikes northeast Japan, no tsunami warning issued

Authorities reported no injuries, tsunami threat or abnormalities at nuclear facilities after the strong offshore earthquake struck the Tohoku region

6.7 magnitude earthquake shakes part of Indonesia, damage reported

A 6.7 magnitude earthquake shook part of central Indonesia's Sulawesi island Tuesday, causing scattered damage and rattling residents of a city devastated by a quake and tsunami eight years ago. The strong shaking sent people fleeing into open areas in and around Palu, a city of about 400,000 people and the capital of Central Sulawesi province. Several hospitals evacuated patients, some with IV drips, outdoors as a safety measure. Images from the area showed heavily damaged structures with partially collapsed roofs, shattered walls and debris scattered across the streets. The National Disaster Management Agency said information on the damage, possible casualties and displaced people was still being gathered. "We have evacuated all guests from the hotel, including several guests who remained in their rooms," said Effendi Natali, a general manager of a four-star hotel in Palu. "They all panicked, which is a natural reaction during an earthquake, but everyone is safe," Natali said, ..

Strong quake in Philippines: How strong earthquakes can trigger tsunamis

Unlike regular wind-generated sea waves, which usually have wavelengths of about 300 to 600 feet, tsunami waves can have wavelengths of about 300 to 600 miles in the deep ocean

Earthquake of magnitude 6.1 hits offshore Cuba, tremors felt in Florida

A 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck near western Cuba on Monday, shaking buildings in Havana and beyond. No injuries or damage were immediately reported. The quake struck at a depth of 10 kilometres in waters just west of the capital, according to the US Geological Survey. Flavia Pupo, a manager at the Pinar del Rio hotel, in Pinar del Rio, described how the building shook and caused some fear. "Everyone here is OK," she said by telephone. "The people on the street are a little bit scared." The latest earthquake was felt as far away as Florida. The National Weather Service in Miami said in a tweet that it received several reports of shaking in the southwestern part of the state. The Oriente fault zone is located just off Cuba's southeast coast and has unleashed damaging earthquakes in recent centuries, including a 7.7 magnitude quake on January 2020 in open waters that caused damage in Cuba and the Cayman Islands.

19 killed, over 200 injured after 7.8-magnitude earthquake hits Philippines

Numerous aftershocks followed the 7:37 am Monday quake, which was felt in nearby Malaysia. Tsunami waves were also detected in Indonesia and Malaysia