Why Venezuela's earthquake was so deadly: shallow, powerful and just seconds apart

AI Summary

Two powerful, shallow earthquakes occurring just 39 seconds apart caused extensive devastation in north-central Venezuela. The death toll exceeds 1,450 with over 3,150 injured, and satellite imagery confirms widespread building collapses along the coastal densely populated areas.

The combination of two powerful, very shallow earthquakes just 39 seconds apart explains much of the devastation left by Wednesday's earthquake in north-central Venezuela, where the latest official toll exceeds 1,450 dead and 3,150 injured. The satellite images that have gradually emerged confirm a trail of collapsed buildings along the coast, the most densely populated and hardest-hit area.