Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela's northern coast, killing more than 180 people. Seismologists classify the pair as a 'doublet' — a rare sequence where two quakes of similar magnitude occur close in time and space.
Unlike a typical aftershock pattern, a doublet involves a second major shock comparable to the first. This can compound damage and complicate rescue efforts, as populations may be caught off guard after the initial temblor.
The events highlight the region's seismic complexity, where the Caribbean and South American tectonic plates interact. Doublets are not well understood but are believed to result from stress transfer along fault systems.
Rescue teams continue to search for survivors amid widespread structural collapse. The death toll may rise as remote coastal areas are reached, according to reports.
Experts caution that while doublets are rare, their destructive potential underscores the need for improved building codes in seismically active zones.