ISRO-NASA’s big revelation on Venezuela earthquake, ground slipped up to 2 feet; Satellite data revealed layers of devastation

ISRO NASA NISAR Satellite On Venezuela Earthquake: A major scientific revelation has now been made about the reasons behind the massive devastation caused by the devastating double earthquake that hit Venezuela last month. Data from NISAR, a joint satellite of India’s space agency ISRO and the US space agency NASA, showed that the earth’s surface had slipped by about 60 centimeters (two feet) in the areas of the capital Caracas and La Guaira during the disaster.

Urgent response used for the first time

Scientists used the InSAR technology of the Nisar satellite to conduct a comparative study of images before and after the June 24 earthquake. This technology also captures subtle changes in the distance between the satellite and the ground.

It is noteworthy that this was the first time that Nisar’s ‘Urgent Response System’ was used for accurate mapping of ground displacement after a major earthquake. (UR) was used.

Big change seen in east-west direction

According to NASA, this earthquake occurred on a ‘strike-slip fault’ Due to which most of the displacement was recorded in the east-west direction. The most intense movements were observed, particularly in the southern part of Caracas’ international airport.

Eric Fielding, a geophysicist at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), said that such a large amount of ground slipping was the main cause of the widespread devastation in Caracas and La Guaira.

Nisar will prove to be a game-changer in disaster management

With the help of this data provided by NISAR, the US Geological Survey (USGS) has made its fault-slip model more accurate. The biggest feature of this satellite is its rapid data delivery system, which provides important information within just 12 to 24 hours of the disaster. Scientists believe that in future this technology will prove to be a milestone in making strategies for relief and rescue operations around the world.

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How many deaths so far in Venezuela earthquake?

It is noteworthy that on June 24, an earthquake of 7.2 magnitude had previously occurred in northern Venezuela. Just 39 seconds later, a second and more powerful earthquake of 7.5 magnitude occurred, causing massive destruction. In both these earthquakes, information about the death of more than 5,546 people and injuries to about 16,700 people was revealed.

The disaster was hardest hit in the states of Trujillo, Yaracuy, Carabobo, Aragua and Miranda, including Caracas and La Guaira, with massive loss of life and property.