"Weak" earthquake shakes parts of Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - An earthquake with an intensity of 3.7 on the Richter Scale rattled the residents of Tabogon, Cebu while intensity 3 was felt in Bogo and other parts of Cebu around 4:51 p.m. yesterday.

The earthquake was caused by an active structure in the northern part of Cebu, specifically in Tabogon, the epicenter. It was traced to 10.98 north longitude and 123.99 east latitude or six kilometers North and 44 kilometers West of Tabogon.

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Philvolcs) Central Office Seismology Division officer-in-charge Ismael Naraga said that neither major injuries or damage to properties nor casualties were reported.

Narag said that the earthquake was caused by an active fault not yet mapped by the Phivolcs in that part of Northern Cebu.

This active structure makes the neighboring towns and cities vulnerable to future earthquakes at any time. It also puts at risk those living in the coastline from the occurrences of tsunamis or a series of sea waves commonly generated by undersea earthquakes and whose heights could be greater than 5 meter.

Tsunamis can occur when the earthquake is shallow-seated and strong enough to displace parts of the seabed and disturb the mass of water over it, according to Phivolcs.

Narag said that natural signs of an approaching local Tsunami can be felt, these include an unusual sea level change or sudden sea water retreat and rumbling sound of approaching waves.

He said however that in the country, it has only occurred 40 times in the last 400 years.

The latest earthquake felt in Cebu is one of the few occurrences in the history of event in the province.

Narag said that Cebu has actually one of the lowest occurrences of earthquake because it has a shorter fault line.

But he reminded the public not have confidence on the less number of occurrences of earthquake here.

Narag said Cebu has many active generators which trigger tectonic activity, associated particularly with plate margins and faults.

The intensity that part of Cebu felt yesterday is described as weak to moderately strong. Phivolcs said that this level is felt by many people indoors, especially in upper floors of buildings.

“Vibration is felt like one passing of a light truck. Dizziness and nausea are experienced by some people. Hanging objects swing moderately. Still water in containers oscillates moderately,” according to Phivolcs. — Jessica Ann R. Pareja/BRP (THE FREEMAN)