Statement from the Chamber of Engineers in Venezuela: No Liquefaction Risk in Nueva Esparta

The board of the Chamber of Engineers in Venezuela's Nueva Esparta state held a press conference to evaluate the region's readiness for seismic events following the earthquakes affecting the country. Authorities reminded that there is an earthquake risk in the region due to the El Pilar fault located near the island, and that this fault is classified in the fifth category. Experts meticulously examined the region's infrastructure and local soil structure against this current risk profile. Structural engineer Andrés Serra, who made statements in La Asunción, informed the public about the soil characteristics of the region. These statements were made to alleviate the concerns of the local population after the earthquake and to demonstrate how safe the cities are.

Structural project engineer Andrés Serra stated that the soils in the Nueva Esparta region consist of clayey, sandy, gravelly, and silty layers. He reassured his colleagues and citizens by noting that beneath these layers lies a solid rock base with a highly adequate and strong bearing capacity for structures. The expert also touched upon the issue of soil liquefaction, which causes some of the greatest destruction during earthquake hazards, and drew a very clear picture on this matter. Soil liquefaction is a highly dangerous situation where stiff soil turns into a liquid state during an earthquake, inevitably causing buildings to collapse. However, Serra emphasized that it has been determined that the potential for this phenomenon to occur is low in all areas studied so far.

The seismic safety of the region is supported not only by its solid soil structure but also by strict urban planning rules. Restrictions imposed by local governments prevent the construction of excessively tall buildings that would push safety standards in the region. Under current regulations, the height of buildings from the ground generally does not exceed thirty meters, or approximately ten stories. These limits are considered a strategic measure that directly increases the region's resilience against disasters such as earthquakes. Thus, while the silhouette of the island is preserved, the risk of buildings colliding or overturning during a possible tremor is minimized.

Experts pointed out that structures up to the ten-story limit can be safely built on the existing soil. However, it is emphasized that a crucial condition must be met for this safety to continue. In every project, it is meticulously made mandatory to decide on a foundation system that is suitable for the soil and the area it sits on, and fully compliant with regulations. In order to maximize the safety of citizens' lives and property, it is a legal requirement for new construction projects to be submitted first to the Center of Engineers. In this process, it is required that the Office for the Review and Follow-up of Projects (Osepro) examines all technical details of the project one by one before granting approval.

It was reported that for a construction project to be approved and realized, institutional review alone is not sufficient, and civil engineers assume a great responsibility in the process. It is mandatory that each plan be approved by an authorized civil engineer who verifies the structural calculations, performs the seismic analysis, and flawlessly completes the relevant soil survey. This strict audit mechanism ensures that construction standards in Nueva Esparta state are continuously kept at a high level. The decisions made and the controls implemented by the Chamber of Engineers allow the region to offer a much more resilient living space against earthquake risks. Consequently, thanks to strict engineering rules and the natural soil advantage, Nueva Esparta possesses a reliable shield against potential earthquakes.