Philippines – The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has issued a warning about the potential for strong earthquakes, with magnitudes up to 8.2, emphasizing the need for continuous preparedness.
According to Philippines News Agency, both the Manila Trench and the Philippine Trench have the capability to generate earthquakes of magnitude 8.2. In an interview with the Philippine News Agency on Sunday night, he also mentioned that the Philippine Fault Zone in Gabaldon could potentially produce a magnitude 7.9 earthquake.
This warning comes in the wake of a magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck Surigao del Sur and parts of Mindanao last Saturday night. The earthquake’s epicenter was located 29 kilometers northeast of Hinatuan and has since generated 1,898 aftershocks, ranging from magnitudes 1.4 to 6.6 as of 1 p.m. Monday. Of these aftershocks, 355 have been plotted or located, with 19 being felt.
Bacolcol reminded the public of the strongest recorded quake in Mindanao, a magnitude 8.1 event on August 17, 1976, caused by the Cotabato Trench. This earthquake resulted in the deaths of around 8,000 people due to a subsequent tsunami.
Reiterating the importance of constant preparedness, Bacolcol highlighted that the Philippines, being part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, is prone to major earthquakes. He stressed that earthquakes are unpredictable and it is essential to always be prepared for these geological hazards.
Regarding the recent magnitude 7.4 earthquake, Bacolcol assured that its aftershocks are not expected to cause a tsunami. He explained that earthquakes with magnitudes 7 and above can potentially cause tsunamis if they are shallow and occur offshore. He also noted that the depth of the recent quake, at 26 kilometers, helped to dissipate the seismic energy as it traveled to the surface, thereby reducing the extent of the damage.
