Two major earthquakes, seconds apart, hit central Venezuela on Wednesday, one with a magnitude of 7.2 and the other with a magnitude of 7.5. At least 164 people have been killed and hundreds injured.
Extensive damage was reported in the capital Caracas and the nearby state of La Guaira.
Strong earthquakes are uncommon in Venezuela, even though it is located near several fault lines along the South American and Caribbean tectonic plates. Mexico, Chile, and other countries on the Pacific coast, including the western edge of the United States, lie along a seismically active tectonic belt, known as the Ring of Fire, which is responsible for about 90% of the world’s earthquakes.
However, many countries that once suffered devastating losses have proven that living with earthquakes does not mean living in fear. Their experiences show that resilience is not just about surviving the next earthquake, but about building systems that protect lives before the ground shakes.
How did they do it?
Japan: Engineering Harmony
Japan is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world. Over the decades it has transformed vulnerability into resilience, thanks to a mix of technology, architecture and public preparedness.
A key pillar is the Earthquake Early Warning System, operated by the Japan Meteorological Agency. Since 2007, the system has used more than a thousand seismic sensors to detect the first, weak P-waves (primary waves) and send alerts via phone, TV, radio and loudspeaker, giving people crucial seconds before stronger shaking begins.
Japan’s resilience is also built into its cities. After the Great Kanto earthquake of 1923, building codes were strengthened, although this took some time.
A major change came in 1981, when new regulations (shin-taishin) required all new construction to meet strict seismic standards. Many essential facilities, such as hospitals and government centers, now use seismic isolation systems – engineering solutions that allow structures to move and absorb energy rather than resist it.
Miho Mazereuw, associate professor and director of the Urban Risk Lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, told CNN about this approach after the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake. “Ideologically, it all comes back to the idea that, instead of resisting the Earth’s movement, you let the building move with it,” he said, explaining how preparation is part of everyday life in Japan.
Earthquake drills begin at an early age, evacuation routes are clearly marked and parks and school grounds double as gathering places. There are more than 240 official evacuation points in Tokyo alone, which are regularly updated in line with the city’s growth.
Chile: change made from experience
Chile, which extends along the Pacific coast of South America, is also located on the Pacific Ring of Fire. The devastating Valdivia earthquake of 1960 – measuring 9.5, the most powerful earthquake ever recorded – reshaped the country’s disaster policies. The earthquake and resulting tsunami caused devastation both locally and abroad.
In response, Chile underwent sweeping changes and imposed strict building regulations requiring seismic resilience. These improvements proved their strength in 2010, when the magnitude 8.8 Maule earthquake struck and many modern buildings remained standing.
Chile’s development moved beyond construction and disaster management became a national effort. Institutions such as Chile’s National Disaster Prevention and Response Service (SENAPRED) were established to align risk reduction strategies across all sectors, and Chile strengthened its ties with international bodies.
“We learned that there is no single solution,” said Alicia Cebrián López, national director of SENAPRED, during the 2024 roundtable held with the United Nations. “We need a combination of measures – from policy change to capacity building – that can adapt to the specific realities of each community.”
Municipalities also play an important role, with community committees identifying local risks and developing action plans. Schools hold regular earthquake drills, incorporating preparedness into daily life.
Mexico: from tragedy to awakening
Mexico has a long and painful history of earthquakes, but the country has also shown resilience. It lies atop several tectonic plates, including the Cocos and North American plates, making it highly seismic.
A turning point came on September 19, 1985, when a magnitude 8.0 earthquake devastated Mexico City. The disaster exposed deep flaws in construction and emergency response, leading to calls for change.
Subsequently, Mexico developed one of the world’s first public earthquake early warning systems by launching the Mexican Seismic Early Warning System (SASMEX) in 1991. Today, coastal sensors detect large earthquakes and warn inland cities up to a minute – enough time to find shelter, stop trains and trigger emergency systems.
When another major earthquake struck on September 19, 2017, Mexico was better prepared. Although the 7.1 magnitude earthquake caused damage and loss of life, improvements in buildings and rapid response saved many lives.
Today, September 19, it is celebrated nationally through earthquake drills involving schools, businesses, and public institutions – reinforcing the idea that resilience demands constant readiness.
Canada: Creating space for community response
On Canada’s west coast, cities including Vancouver and Victoria are preparing for potential seismic disasters. Located near the Cascadia Subduction Zone, the region faces the threat of rare but devastating earthquakes.
“Approximately 3 billion people live in areas with high seismic activity, and it is estimated that by 2050, the population in major cities at risk from earthquakes will double,” said Jeff Birchall, assistant professor at the University of Alberta. In a 2019 study.
He emphasized that public gathering places – parks, sports grounds, libraries and public squares – will be critical to survival and recovery after a disaster.
This thinking has already taken hold in Vancouver. The city has developed a network of disaster assistance centers, including community centers, parks, and even a branch of the public library. Marked with yellow signs, these centers are designed not only as shelters but also as points for emergency supplies, medical aid and recovery coordination.
Rather than focusing solely on buildings, Vancouver’s strategy strengthens the fabric of community resilience. When an earthquake strikes, public spaces ready to turn into a lifeline will help ensure that cities can take action at the most critical time and recover quickly.
This article was originally written in Turkish and published on April 28, 2025. It was last updated on June 25, 2026.