MANILA, Philippines – A series of small and moderate earthquakes has been recorded along the Philippine trench off the coast of Surigao del Norte.
On April 26, a magnitude 5.5 earthquake was recorded 70 kilometers southeast of General Luna on Siargao Island.
Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Undersecretary Renato Solidum said earthquake swarms may continue due to the subduction in the Philippine trench.
The official explained that an earthquake swarm is different from aftershocks.
“Ang aftershock kasi ay maliliit na paglindol pagkatapos ng isang talagang malakas na pagyanig, distict na malakas. Ang nangyayari kasi sa off shore ng Surigao del Norte may magnitude 5.5 pero may mga magnitude 5, 4 point plus. So hindi talaga isang lindol na malakas tapos puro maliliit na. (An aftershock is a small earthquake after a strong shaking, distinctively strong. What is happening off the shore of Surigao del Norte is that, there is magnitude 5.5 but there are magnitudes 5, 4 point plus. So it’s not a strong earthquake and the followed by small ones,)” the Director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) explained.
Recently, a series of earthquakes in the area has also been recorded but Usec. Solidum said the activities have gradually subsided.
PHIVOLCS monitors the area so that they can immediately warn the public for a possible tsunami if a strong tremor occurs.
Solidum said a strong earthquake might not happen but it was a long time ago since the agency recorded a strong movement in that segment of the Philippine trench.
“Posibleng mga class magnitude 8 earthquake ang pwedeng maidulot ng pagkilos sa Philippine trench at pwede itong mag-trigger ng tsunami na pwedeng makaapekto sa baybayin ng mga probinsyang nakaharap sa Pacific Ocean, (The Philippine Trench may cause class magnitude 8 earthquake and it may trigger Tsunami that may affect coastal areas facing the Pacific Ocean,) Solidum said.
The official said a tsunami might reach the nearest fault in a matter of minutes depending on the distance of the epicenter to the nearest coast.
Although no swarm was recorded in other segments of the Philippine trench like the Manila trench, Sulu-Negros trench, and Cotabato trench; they may generate a major quake.
The Manila trench may generate a magnitude 8.3 earthquake and tsunami with a height of 3.5 meters to 5.5 meters.
Areas facing the West Philippine Sea might be affected including the Manila Bay.
“Kung nasa dalampasigan sila o malapit, mapapansin nilang biglang bumaba ang tubig, mabilisan. At kung nandoon pa sila malapit sa dalampasigan, pwede silang makarinig ng kakaibang ugong at ito ay senyales na ang tsunami ay paparating na sa dalampasigan, (If they are in or near the coastal areas, they will notice the immediate or abnormal drop of seawater. And if they are near the coastline, they would hear a roaring sound and it is a sign that a tsunami is approaching,)” Solidum concluded. – Marje Pelayo (with reports from Rey Pelayo)
The post Segment of PH trench off Surigao del Norte coast may generate magnitude 8 earthquake – PHIVOLCS appeared first on UNTV News.