Magnitude 5.7 quake jolts Surigao del Sur; damage, aftershocks expected

MANILA - A magnitude 5.7 earthquake jolted Surigao del Sur on Friday, state seismologists said.

Based on the updated report of Phivolcs, the tremor was downgraded from 5.8 magnitude.

The tremor struck 44 kilometers northeast of Hinatuan town at 2:06 p.m., state seismologists said.

It was tectonic in origin and had a depth of 14 kilometers, according to Phivolcs. 

Here are the reported intensities: 

Intensity V - Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur
Intensity IV - Bislig City, Surigao del Sur; Nabunturan and Mawab, Davao de Oro
Intensity III - Tandag City, Maco, Maragusan, Davao de Oro; Manay and Mati, Davao Oriental; Davao City; Gingoog City and Magsaysay, Misamis Oriental
Intensity II - Laak, Davao de Oro; Balingasag, Jasaan, Villanueva and Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental; Cagayan de Oro City; Quezon, Maramag, Valencia City,
Malaybalay City, Cabanglasan, and Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon; Rosario, Agusan Del Sur
Intensity I - Mambajao, Catarman and Sagay, Camiguin; Kalilangan and Pangantucan, Bukidnon

Instrumental Intensities:

Intensity III - Bislig City, Surigao del Sur
Intensity II - Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental
Intensity I - Surigao City, Cagayan de Oro City, Kidapawan City; Tupi South Cotabato; Malungon and Alabel, Sarangani

The tremor is expected to cause damage and spawn aftershocks.

news.abs-cbn.com

Magnitude-6.2 quake jolts Batanes; aftershocks expected

MANILA--A magnitude-6.2 earthquake jolted Batanes past midnight Saturday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

The tectonic tremor occurred at 12:44 p.m., some 16 kilometers east of Basco town. It struck at a depth of 174 kilometers.

Here are the reported intensities: 

*Intensity IV - Basco and Itbayat, Batanes

Instrumental Intensities:

*Intensity II - Laoag City and Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte
*Intensity I - Vigan City

The Phivolcs said the quake is expected to cause aftershocks but no damage is expected.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Why Taal Volcano eruption will be different from Mt. Pinatubo

The devastating volcanic eruption of Mt. Pinatubo happened nearly three decades ago. Government volcanologists warn an explosive eruption by Taal Volcano will be different. - The World Tonight, ANC, January 16, 2020

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Magma movement to determine length of Taal's eruption, says Solidum

MANILA – The Taal Volcano is still erupting but its activity has gone weaker than in previous days, according to the country's chief seismologist on Wednesday.

But how long the eruptions would last depends on the speed of the rise of magma.

Phivolcs executive director Renato Solidum said Wednesday they still record a lot of earthquakes at the Taal volcano and its general area, and many of these temblors have been felt.

"These can be interpreted as magma intruding from beneath the volcano causing fissures to move, causing earthquakes and also lifting off the ground. Hence, if these magma would continue to rise there can still be further activity related to the current situation," Solidum said on ANC's Headstart.


Solidum cannot exactly tell how long Taal's eruptions will be as he said the volcano has exhibited various styles of eruptions in the past, lasting from a few days to several months.

In 1911, Solidum said the eruption lasted for only 3 to 4 days. In 1965, it lasted for a month and in 1754, the eruption continued on for around 7 months.

"These would be dependent on the ascent of the magma, how fast it would move up or whether the magma would stop moving. As we try to analyze this we rely on 2 things: the earthquakes and deformation on the ground," he explained.

He said volcanoes have different styles and speeds of eruption and precursors. Taal’s behavior, he said, could go from having precursors and not erupting to having precursors and then erupting within several days to several weeks.

“When any volcano would erupt, it has to show signs of the activities escalating. However, that volcano did not accelerate its activity and in fact even half a day or a day before there were no significant earthquake events or even maybe 12 or 6 hours before, if you look at seismic record, there was no record,” he said.

The volcano’s activity accelerated in a span of around 6 hours, prompting Phivolcs to immediately raise its alert level.

In comparison, Mount Pinatubo, which erupted in 1991, recorded activity that signaled its destructive eruption on June 15 of that year.

There were quakes that March, phreatic eruptions a month later, steam emissions in May, and then a small ash emission prior to its major eruption.

“You can see clearly the big difference in the timing and sequence of the events versus what happened last Sunday,” he said.

Solidum said Phivolcs, the local government, and disaster management teams have been preparing for the possibility of Taal's hazardous eruption.

"The explosive eruption scenario, and this is the scenario we have been preparing for together with the Batangas Provincial Risk Reduction [and] Management Office, is still possible simply because of the fact that we still have a lot of earthquakes and ground deformation within the area," he said.

Sunday's activity initially started as a phreatic eruption. When the crater was depressurized, he said magma suddenly rose and produced more eruptions turning it into a phreatomagmatic eruption.

"The highest eruption column that we saw was around 10 to 15 kilometers last Sunday, late afternoon and evening, and for many volcanoes that would really be considered hazardous," he said.

Lava fountaining was observed by early Monday morning, resulting in a magmatic eruption.

While it was hazardous, Phivolcs said they have not yet seen pyroclastic density currents or the flow of rocks and ash down the slope of the volcano or even horizontally-moving out of the crater towards the lake.

"That is what we call a hazardous volcanic eruption when Taal would exhibit not only tall eruption columns, but horizontally-moving clouds more than 60 kilometers per hour that even reach the mainland and cross above the water," he said.

Thousands of residents were evacuated after the volcano spewed ash and destroyed homes, plants, and animals on Sunday.

"If the volcano would rapidly increase in activity then there will be additional evacuation and that has happened. Unfortunately the volcano changed its condition very rapidly," he said.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

M6.1 quake hits Batangas

A magnitude 6.1 earthquake hit Lian, Batangas Friday afternoon but was felt as far as Metro Manila.

A report from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the quake had a depth of 173 kilometers and was tectonic in origin. Exact location of the quake is 14.00°N, 120.64°E - 005 km S 13° W of Lian.

Phivolcs said it is expecting aftershocks after the quake.

A DZMM report earlier said Palace employees and reporters evacuated the New Executive Building after the earthquake struck.

Video taken by ABS-CBN News also showed employees evacuating the Department of Justice after the quake hit.

Netizens said they felt the quake in parts of Marikina and Las Piñas.

A Reuters report quoting USGS e arlier said a magnitude 6.6 struck off Luzon in the Philippines.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Quake hits Luzon

Escalating temblors a minute apart traced to still shaken Batangas

 The United States Geological Survey (USGS) recorded a third earthquake in Batangas Saturday afternoon, pegging its magnitude at 5.0 some 20 minutes after twin shocks hit the province.

The USGS said the third quake struck struck at 3:29 p.m. Saturday 1 km west northwest of Taysan town, also in Batangas. The town is located east of Mabini, where two quakes a minute apart hit less than half an hour earlier.

There is no information yet whether the third quake was an aftershock.

The third tremor was recorded after twin quakes hit Mabini:

The first hit 2 kms east northeast of Bagalangit village at 3:08 p.m., with a magnitude of 5.7. A 5.9-magnitude temblor hit a minute later, 1 km south southwest of Talaga in the same town.

The quake's origin is proximate to the island town of Tingloy, where a 5.5-magnitude quake hit just before 9 p.m. Tuesday. It generated multiple aftershocks.

The temblor was felt around Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon, according to netizens' reports online.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) meanwhile pegged the earthquake at magnitude 5.6, with its epicenter 2 kms northwest of Mabini.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Phivolcs: 89 aftershocks hit Surigao

More aftershocks are expected to hit Surigao following the 6.7 magnitude quake that hit the province Friday evening, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said Saturday.

As of 8 a.m., at least 89 aftershocks have been recorded. The strongest of which was a 3.9 magnitude quake that rocked Surigao City, Phivolcs science research analyst John Deximo told ABS-CBN News.

"Kapag ganyan kalakas na quake (6.7 magnitude), nagla-last siya ng 3 to 6 months before magsettle yung fault," Deximo said.

(If the quake is that strong, it will take 3 to 6 months before the fault settles.)

Officials advised residents to seek temporary shelter as soon as they spot cracks in their homes. The public was also told to avoid entering establishments with minor damage.

"Yung mga bahay na medyo may mga crack na, kung pwede wag na sila bumalik kasi marami pa ring aftershocks na nae-experience," Phivolcs science research analyst Daphne Agolia said in an interview on ANC's Dateline Philippines.

(Residents should not return to houses that have cracks as aftershocks are still being felt.)

"Sa nakikita namin meron ng building na apektado, marami ng not fit for occupancy," she added.

(We also saw several buildings that are unfit for occupancy.)

The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has recommended placing Surigao City under State of Calamity due to the extent of the damage.

All classes have been suspended in Surigao City and work in heavily damaged buildings have been suspended as well, Vice Mayor Alfonso Casurra said.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

WATCH: Video captures panic amid Surigao quake

Chaos erupted inside a mall in Butuan City when a magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck off Surigao del Norte Friday afternoon.

In the footage sent by Bayan Patroller Geecee II Beray, people inside the Gaisano Mall are seen running and looking for safety spots amid the tremor.


The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said Intensity V was felt in Surigao City; Siargao Island; Talacogon, Agusan del Sur; and Carrascal, Surigao del Sur.

Meanwhile, Intensity IV was felt in Dinagat Island; Intensity III in San Juan, Southern Leyte; Tacloban, Leyte; Palo, Leyte; and Lapu-lapu City.

Intensity II was felt in Bislig, Surigao del Sur; Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur; and Davao City.

Damage is not expected from the quake, Phivolcs said, but aftershocks are likely.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Magnitude 6 quake rattles Luzon

MANILA – A magnitude 6 earthquake hit San Antonio, Zambales before dawn on Sunday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

Phivolcs located the quake's epicenter 43 kilometers southwest of San Antonio town. The quake struck at 3:31 a.m.

Phivolcs said the following intensities were felt:

Intensity IV (moderately strong) - Pasig City; Pasay City; Manila City; Quezon City; Hagonoy, Bulacan; Makati City; San Mateo, Rizal; Obando, Bulacan

Intensity III (weak) - Tagaytay City; San Miguel, Tarlac

Intensity II (slightly felt) - Baguio City; Batangas City

Phivolcs said Intensity IV is "felt generally by people indoors and by some people outdoors. Light sleepers are awakened. Vibration is felt like a passing of heavy truck. Hanging objectsswing considerably.

"Dinner, plates, glasses, windows and doors rattle. Floors and walls of wood framed buildings creak. Standing motor cars may rock slightly. Liquids in containers are slightly disturbed. Water in containers oscillate strongly. Rumbling sound may sometimes be heard."

The quake, which was tectonic in origin, struck at a depth of 85 kilometers.

Phivolcs said the quake will not cause damage but is expected to produce aftershocks.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

5.4-magnitude quake hits Aurora; felt in Metro Manila

A magnitude 5.4 earthquake hit Aurora on Thursday morning, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

Phivolcs said the earthquake occurred at 10:27 a.m. Its epicenter was located 17 kilometers northeast of Baler.

The quake, which was tectonic in origin, had a depth of 5 kms. The United States Geological Survey, meanwhile, measured the quake's magnitude at 5.3.


Phivolcs said the following quake intensities were felt in these areas:

• Intensity V - Baler, Aurora
• Intensity IV -Palayan City, Cabiao, Bongabon and San Jose, Nueva Ecija; Santiago City, Isabela
• Intensity III - Tarlac City; Cabanatuan City; Dagupan City; Cauayan City, Isabela; Infanta, Quezon; Mandaluyong City; Quezon City; Taguig 
• City; Pasay City; Antipolo City 
• Intensity II - Clemente, Tarlac; Aglipay and Maddela, Quirino; Manila City; Malolos City, Bulacan 
• Intensity I - Clark, Pampanga; Makati City

Aftershocks are expected from the quake, according to Phivolcs executive director Renato Solidum.

"Pwedeng magdulot ito ng aftershocks na most likely ang makakaramdam ay yung mga nasa epicenter na Aurora," Solidum told dzMM.

Solidum also advised the public not to panic, as the quake only had a moderate strength. He added that a tsunami being generated by the quake is unlikely.

He said significant structural damage is not expected from the quake. However, he said weak buildings near the epicenter may still sustain minor cracks.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Magnitude 5.3 quake jolts Sarangani

MANILA, Philippines -- A magnitude 5.3 quake shook Sarangani province and General Santos City Thursday afternoon, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said.

Phivolcs said the quake occurred at 4:14 p.m. with its epicenter located 157 kilometers southeast of Sarangani.

The quake was tectonic in origin with a depth of 87 kilometers.
It was felt at Intensity 1 in General Santos City.

Phivolcs said aftershocks were to be expected.

source: interaksyon.com

Dinagat Island shaken by magnitude-4.9 quake

MANILA, Philippines -- A magnitude-4.9 earthquake shook Dinagat Island early Wednesday morning, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said.

The quake struck at 5:59 a.m., with its epicenter located eight kilometers northeast of Dinagat town.

The quake was tectonic in origin and had a depth of 198 kilometers.
Phivolcs said the quake caused no damage and no aftershocks were expected.

source: interaksyon.com

2 Quake Survivors Found

MANILA, Philippines — Two survivors of the powerful earthquake that jolted Negros Oriental last Monday were recovered from the wreckage of their house, government officials reported Friday.

Five more bodies were recovered Friday as rescue work resumed in spite of continuing aftershocks.

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Executive Director Benito Ramos reported Friday that the two survivors were found in Barangay Kagawas, a mountainside barangay in Guihulngan City.

Ramos said the two, who both suffered injuries, were pinned under their collapsed house.

They were discovered by their neighbors who brought them down the mountain.

Ramos said the survivors were airlifted to a hospital in Dumaguete City.

The five bodies were found in the landslide-hit barangays of La Libertad and Guihulngan.

Ramos described one of the retrieved in Barangay Planas, Guihulngan, as that of a "headless woman".

The death toll in Monday’s magnitude 6.9 quake stood at 39 Friday, with 66 people missing.

Ramos said the chance is slim more survivors will be found especially from the landslides in La Liberta and Guihulngan, but they are not giving up hope.

He listed underwear and sanitary napkins as among immediate needs of the quake victims, aside from food, drinking water, medicines, and mosquito nets.

NDRRMC executive director Benito Ramos said the recovery of five more bodies- two in Barangay Solonggon in La Libertad town and three in Barangay Planas, Guihulngan City.

The NDRRMC placed the number of stricken families from 106 barangays in Guihulngan City, Bais City, and the towns of La Libertad, Jimalalud, Ayungon, Bindoy (Payabon), Manuyod Tayasan, and Villahermoso at 21,076, or 93,397 people.

A total of 6,572 families or 32,869 people are staying at 21 evacuation centers.

The quake also destroyed 1,411 houses and damaged 1,566.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said it has recorded 1,422 aftershocks as of Friday.

Dr. Renato Solidum, Phivolcs director, 85 of the aftershocks were strong enough to be felt.

Helping in the search for survivors and bodies are a 49-member team deployed jointly by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA), Carmen Copper Corporation, Apex Mining Corporation, Philex Mining Corporation, Philippine Saga Mining Corporation, and Quarry Ventures Philippines Incorporated.

The PMSEA is an organization of mining companies, quarries, cement plants, suppliers, service contractors, professional organizations and government agencies that advocates a national campaign against occupational safety, health and environmental hazards of mining and its related operations.

Damage to roads and bridges in Negro Oriental has been extensive. But the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said Friday that the damaged roads and bridges will be passable by the middle of next week.

DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson said President Benigno S. Aquino III instructed them to immediately repair the road networks and public markets to restore commerce in Guihulngan and the towns of Jimalalud, Tayasa, and La Libertad.

Singson said in the meantime, Bailey bridges will be built and alternate routes will be set up. (Francis T. Wakefield, Phoebe Jen Indino, Jun Ramirez, Kris Bayos, and JC Bello Ruiz)

source: mb.com.ph