GEOLOGICAL AND ARCHITECTURAL CONTEXT OF HISTORICAL EARTHQUAKES IN EASTERN VENEZUELA

Abstract

The importance of local site amplification during historical earthquakes in Eastern Venezuela is documented by setting the information in its geological and historical context. Reports are often only available for a few urban spots settling on soft soils. Prior to the second half of the 20th century, historical information is only available for the Northern Caribbean coast. During the following years, the increase in the number of villages inside the Orinoco basin results in a better description of historical earthquakes. An assessment of intensity values using the descriptions of the damages suffered by religious and military buildings is often unavoidable, because information on the damages suffered by individual houses is often lacking. This constraint requires us to understand the architectural characteristics of the buildings and the history of their repairs. Due to their peculiar geometry, material heterogeneity, and long lasting repairs, the vulnerability of the buildings could indeed be higher than the vulnerability of individual houses. The settlement of forts on top of the steep hills surrounded by soft water-rich soils still enhanced their vulnerability, due to the low-frequency amplification of the ground motion.