The NASA has presented the first detailed images showing how the terrain of Venezuela has deformed after an unprecedented double earthquake. Using cutting-edge technology, the Synthetic Aperture Radar mission (NISAR) has captured these images with surprising precision, revealing the surface displacement along the geological fault of San Sebastián in the Caribbean.
Impact of the double earthquake according to NASA
Thanks to radar interferometry technology, NISAR compared images before and after the quake to create detailed maps of terrain alterations. This technique allows for precise visualization of changes, essential for understanding and measuring seismic activity.
The project leader of NISAR, Gerald Bawden, noted that this mission not only measures minimal alterations in the Earth’s crust but also enhances our understanding of phenomena such as earthquakes and landslides. This information is crucial for identifying risk areas where the Earth’s crust could release accumulated tensions.
The combination of satellite data with records from the United States Geological Survey and local seismological networks allows scientists to reconstruct the fault rupture in Venezuela with greater precision. This helps predict areas that might remain under tectonic stress.
The double earthquake in Venezuela caused differential displacements in the San Sebastián fault, causing some areas to rise and others to fall due to the release of tension accumulated over decades.
The NISAR mission has a comprehensive approach, designed not only to monitor earthquakes but also volcanoes, landslides, and other natural phenomena. Capable of operating in any weather condition, this mission is one of the most ambitious of NASA in the last decade.
