Coastal uplifts observed in Sarangani post-quake

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has observed upward movement of coastlines in Sarangani and Davao Occidental after the massive earthquake that hit Mindanao.

State seismologists on Friday noted previously submerged corals are now exposed on a “co-seismically raised modern reef platform” in Barangay Pangyan in Glan, Sarangani and in Jose Abad Santos in Davao Occidental.

“Preliminary field observations indicate approximately two meters of coastal uplift and about 200 meters of shoreline retreat,” PHIVOLCS said after an aerial survey.

An uplift can lead to wider coastal zones, a seaward migration of high tide lines, and the exposure of coral reefs and other marine habitats. PHIVOLCS also observed coastal landslides between Barangays Burias and Pangyan in Sarangani.

Meanwhile, a magnitude 5.3 earthquake struck Sarangani yesterday morning, which was also felt in nearby areas. PHIVOLCS said the quake occurred at 10:05 a.m., with its epicenter located 17 kilometers west of Glan town.

State seismologists said that the temblor was an aftershock of the magnitude 7.8 offshore Sarangani earthquake on June 8. PHIVOLCS has logged 3,860 aftershocks in the five days since the June 8 quake.

As of yesterday, the Office of Civil Defense said there were 61 confirmed deaths, 1,221 injured, and 33 missing.