Análisis histórico de las amenazas sísmicas y geológicas de la ciudad de Cumaná, Venezuela

the aim of this study is to describe the main natural hazards associated with the cumaná earthquakes in venezuela. written testimonies on historical cumaná earthquakes were reviewed in order to identify the different marine and geological phenomena which recur in those seismic events. as result of this revision, the following recurring phenomena were identified: penetration of a marine wave and coastal sinking in the neighborhood of the manzanares river mouth; shallow lateral spread cracks along the shoreline and river margins; liquefaction on alluvial plains, mainly near the river and shoreline. additionally, seismic motion intensity shows an increasing tendency toward the shoreline and the river. the july 9, 1997 earthquake confirmed these hazards and the places where they had greatest impact.