MANILA, Philippines (6th UPDATE) – A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck between the islands of Negros and Cebu before noon Monday, killing at least 1 person and prompting government volcanologists to raise a tsunami alert.
Director Renato Solidum of the the Philippine Institute for Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the quake struck 5 kilometers northwest of Tayasan, Negros Oriental at 11: 49 a.m. The quake was tectonic in origin, he said.
The main quake was followed by four aftershocks measuring between magnitudes 4.5 to 5.8.
Phivolcs raised tsunami alert level 2 in Negros and Cebu, warning residents in coastal areas to seek higher ground.
"This means that people living near the shoreline must be watchful of rising sea level. We will be monitoring the levels and might lift the tsunami alert by 2 p.m.," Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo told radio dzMM.
National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) chief Benito Ramos said the quake has killed one person - a child from Tayasan, Negros Oriental who was killed after a wall fell on him.
A report from June Perez of DYAB Cebu said the quake caused slight panic in Cebu City as residents started running to different establishments.
Intensity
Phivolcs said the following intensities were felt in the following areas:
Intensity VII - Dumaguete City
Intensity VI - La Carlota City and La Castellana, Negros Occidental
Intensity V - Roxas City; Dao and Ivisan, Capiz; Iloilo City
Intensity IV - San Jose de Buenavista and Pandan Antique; Ayungon, Negros Oriental; Kalibo, Aklan; Sagay, Negros Occidental; Dipolog City
Intensity III - Butuan City, Agusan del Norte; Legaspi City, Albay; Carmen, Cagayan de Oro
Intensity II - Cabid-an, Sorsogon
The United States Geological Survey, meanwhile, initially measured the magnitude of the quake at 6.8. It later revised the magnitude at 6.7.
The USGS listed the following areas as the epicenter:
70 kms (44 miles) north from Dumaguete, Negros
79 kms (49 miles) west northwest from Tagbilaran, Bohol
80 kms (50 miles) south southeast from Bacolod, Negros
574 kms (356 miles) south southeast from Manila
The agency said the earthquake had a depth of 46.6 kms.
The USGS has also recorded at least 2 aftershocks from the strong quake.
The first recorded aftershock, which had a magnitude of 4.8, occurred 62 kms north of Dumaguete at 12:03 p.m.
The second aftershock, which had a magnitude of 5.6, was recorded at 12:20 p.m. 71 kms south southeast of Bacolod.
Bridges impassable
In Negros Oriental, Governor Roel Degamo said at least 2 bridges were rendered impassable because of the cracks they sustained. Several highways, churches, buildings and houses were also damaged.
“Badly damaged itong northern portion ng Negros Oriental galing sa municipality ng Manuyod up to municipality of Vallehermoso,” Degamo told dzMM.
Degamo added residents living in coastal areas have been advised to leave their homes. - with reports from dzMM
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
Thank you very much for this great information. Let’s pray for the people who were struck by this massive quake. God be with us all.
ReplyDeleteNice post. Thanks for sharing. I hope that preventative measures can be put in place soon. One thing that can be done which costs nothing is each individual take responsibility for their garbage and put it where it belongs instead of throwing it all over the streets, rivers, and everywhere else.
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