Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
A strong earthquake shook north-central Venezuela during the early hours of Thursday (as per the Indian standard time), with tremors also felt in neighbouring Colombia. The quake struck near the capital Caracas, triggering panic among residents who rushed out of buildings as structures swayed. It also prompted authorities to issue a tsunami threat, which was later revoked.
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake measured a magnitude of 7.1 and was centred on Montalban at a depth of 13 km. The shallow depth contributed to the strong surface shaking across the region.
As per a report by Reuters, which cited several eyewitness accounts, Caracas witnessed visible damage, including cracks forming along building walls and shattered glass at building entrances. Residents described scenes of panic as people evacuated homes and offices amid the intense tremors.
Following the quake, the US Tsunami Warning System issued a tsunami threat for Puerto Rico, as well as the US and British Virgin Islands. Authorities also warned that islands off the Venezuelan coast, including Aruba, Curaao and Bonaire, could potentially experience hazardous waves. However, it was soon called off.
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“NO tsunami, NO danger from a recent earthquake. Duty Scientists analysed the event at 1816 AST / EST Jun 24: M7.1 near the coast of Venezuela,” the NWS Tsunami Alert wrote from its official account on X.
Emergency monitoring agencies are continuing to assess the situation as aftershocks remain a possibility in the affected region. No casualties have been reported yet.
SIMILAR EARTHQUAKE HITS JAPAN
Meanwhile, a strong earthquake measuring magnitude 6.9 struck off the east coast of Honshu, Japan, on Thursday, shaking parts of the country’s northeastern region but prompting no tsunami warning.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the earthquake’s epicentre was located off the coast of Iwate prefecture at a depth of around 50 km. Authorities said no tsunami damage is expected, although slight changes in sea levels may occur.
The quake was strongly felt in Aomori prefecture, where the JMA recorded an intensity of upper 6 on Japan’s seismic scale of 0 to 7. At that intensity level, authorities describe conditions as severe enough that people typically struggle to remain standing or move without crawling.
Emergency monitoring was initiated following the tremor, particularly around critical infrastructure.
Power utility Tohoku Electric Power said inspections found no abnormalities at its Onagawa nuclear power plant and the currently idled Higashidori nuclear facility after the earthquake.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation and assess any potential impact, while residents in affected areas have been advised to remain alert for possible aftershocks.
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
