2 massive earthquakes rock Venezuela in less than a minute

In less than a minute’s time, two massive earthquakes shook the coast of Venezuela on Wednesday evening, turning buildings into rubble as panicked people rushed onto the streets for safety.

By the numbers:

At 6:04 p.m., a huge 7.2 magnitude earthquake centered near Yumare, Venezuela, less than 200 miles west of Caracas, shook much of the region, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Less than 45 seconds later, the second quake struck the same location and was measured at a 7.5 magnitude, which is nearly twice as big and nearly three times as strong as the earlier one.

Big picture view:

The earthquakes were so violent that structures in cities more than a thousand miles away were being evacuated. In Caracas, people were fleeing buildings, visibly shocked, as they looked upon entire walls that had collapsed and could see furniture inside homes. Dust columns were also spotted rising over two busy neighborhoods of the Venezuelan capital. 

What they're saying:

"It started off gently and then gradually grew, and in the end, we all had to leave our houses, go outside and gather together," Caracas resident Hector Ricci said.

Local perspective:

Surrounded by collapsed buildings, toppled electric poles, and blocked streets, many people remained out on the streets for hours and into the night. Some areas lost power and cell service, creating more confusion and fear for residents trying to locate or contact loved ones. 

"Alarming Situations"

Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello described Caracas’ Altamira neighborhood as having "alarming situations," with devastated homes and buildings. Because of the number of people injured, he urged drivers to give way to ambulances and other emergency vehicles.

"We understand that some people may be desperate, but we are acting according to protocols to activate aid and rescue efforts to help those who need it most," Cabello said on state television. "Be very careful with children and the elderly; call each other and check that no one has been harmed."

The backstory:

The quakes were some of the strongest to strike in Venezuela in more than a century. While the country sits near multiple fault lines, it is located straddling the South American and Caribbean plates make earthquakes much less common there than in other parts of Latin America.