Older Buildings and Substandard Construction Left Venezuela Vulnerable to Earthquakes
Older buildings and substandard construction left – Recent seismic events in Venezuela have exposed the nation’s susceptibility to destructive quakes, with experts attributing the crisis to a combination of aging infrastructure, poor building practices, and geographical challenges. The back-to-back tremors on Wednesday were classified as some of the strongest to affect the country in over a century, causing catastrophic structural failures and resulting in more than 900 fatalities, with the death toll expected to climb. Satellite images and video footage analyzed by The Associated Press revealed widespread collapse of multistory buildings, underscoring the severity of the disaster.
Microsoft’s AI Analysis Highlights Regional Damage
Microsoft’s AI for Good Lab contributed to the assessment by examining satellite imagery of Catia La Mar in La Guaira state, a city heavily affected by the quakes. Through AI-driven damage evaluation tools, the company identified that roughly a third of the city’s nearly 30,000 structures were compromised. This data aligns with the broader pattern of vulnerability observed across Venezuela’s urban areas, particularly in regions where construction standards have not kept pace with seismic risks.
Experts highlight that the disaster was exacerbated by the use of subpar materials and outdated engineering techniques in many buildings. In northern Venezuela, rapid development during oil booms has led to the creation of housing complexes that may not have followed best practices for earthquake resilience. According to specialists, this has left structures ill-prepared for intense shaking, with some collapsing entirely and others sustaining severe damage.
Historical Context of Building Codes
Venezuela’s susceptibility to earthquakes traces back to the 1970s, when engineers began recognizing the risks posed by concrete buildings. Modern techniques, such as reinforced steel connections, were introduced to enhance stability, but these measures have not been uniformly applied. While wealthier nations have enforced retrofits or replacements of hazardous structures, Venezuela and other middle-income countries have struggled to implement similar policies due to competing priorities like economic instability and resource constraints.
David Cocke, a structural engineer in California and former president of the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute, explained that the combination of soft soils and older concrete buildings amplified the destruction. “The ground itself acts as a multiplier,” he said. “Tall towers on loose ground shake more violently, and older structures lack the modern reinforcements that prevent floor-by-floor collapse.” This phenomenon, known as pancaking, occurs when buildings crumble in layers, often leading to higher casualties.
“They just don’t have the more modern reinforcing steel connections that we put in those kinds of buildings today,” Cocke added.
Another critical factor in the collapse was the prevalence of “soft stories,” a structural flaw where ground floors consist of open spaces like garages, reducing their ability to withstand seismic forces. Eduardo Miranda, a professor at Stanford University specializing in civil engineering, emphasized that this issue is widespread globally but particularly pronounced in Venezuela. “Soft stories are a huge problem everywhere in the world,” Miranda noted. “In Venezuela, they are especially common, and when combined with softer soils, the risk of collapse becomes even greater.”
Government Response and Ongoing Challenges
Following a devastating 1967 earthquake, Venezuelan officials updated building codes to improve safety. However, the extent to which these regulations have been enforced remains unclear. Juan Carlos Vielma, a civil engineer and academic leader at the Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso in Chile, pointed out that even recently constructed buildings in the country may not fully comply with current standards. “It’s perplexing that among the collapsed structures, several were designed and built according to modern guidelines,” Vielma observed. “This inconsistency suggests a systemic failure in adhering to seismic safety protocols.”
“We need to embark on a process not just to rebuild, but to ensure that every new structure meets the necessary criteria for resilience,” Vielma said.
Geographical features also played a significant role in the disaster. Many cities in Venezuela sit on soil that absorbs and amplifies seismic waves, making buildings more prone to damage. This natural amplification, coupled with inadequate construction practices, has left neighborhoods in a precarious state. The recent quakes, which occurred in rapid succession, further compounded the danger. Marcos Ferreira, a geophysicist at the Geological Survey of Brazil, described the situation as a “doublet,” a rare occurrence where two earthquakes strike close together, increasing the likelihood of widespread destruction. “It’s as if I am screaming and then someone starts screaming, too,” Ferreira said. “That amplifies the vibration and adds to the potential hazard.”
Similar scenarios unfolded in Turkey and Syria in 2023, where a doublet led to nearly 60,000 deaths. This underscores a pattern of vulnerability in regions where buildings are not retrofitted to withstand seismic events. While some advanced nations have integrated modern standards into their construction codes, Venezuela has lagged behind. Cocke noted that countries like Japan, New Zealand, and the U.S. have made significant strides in retrofitting infrastructure, but others, including Venezuela, have not.
Long-Term Consequences and the Need for Reform
The earthquakes have not only caused immediate devastation but also raised concerns about the long-term resilience of Venezuela’s urban landscape. In the late 1990s, under Hugo Chávez’s leadership, the government initiated a massive building campaign to replace damaged housing and accommodate displaced populations. However, this effort prioritized speed over quality, resulting in structures that may now be at higher risk of failure during future quakes.
“Something that leaves me perplexed is the fact that, among the collapsed buildings, more than one was recently designed and built in accordance with current standards,” Vielma said.
As the country continues to recover, the focus must shift toward strengthening building codes and ensuring compliance. This includes retrofitting existing structures, improving materials, and accounting for geological hazards. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the importance of proactive measures in earthquake-prone regions. Without these steps, Venezuela remains at risk of repeated disasters that could further strain its already fragile infrastructure and population.
The scale of destruction highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to urban planning and disaster preparedness. While the immediate aftermath will require emergency response and reconstruction efforts, the long-term solution lies in adopting modern engineering practices and prioritizing seismic safety in future development. The lessons from this event are not only relevant to Venezuela but also serve as a cautionary tale for other nations facing similar challenges.
