Aftershocks send Bicol folk in panic
LEGAZPI CITY – After the strongest earthquake to strike Bicol occured on Friday, three more mild tremors were felt on Sunday, yet another aftershock that woke up Bicolanos before sunrise yesterday – a series of aftershocks that is already gripping people in fear as it forced disaster control authorities here to make public announcements to allay such worries.
Alex Baloloy, resident geologist here of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), said that another aftershock was detected at around 4:46 a.m. yesterdfay with magnitude 5.2, located 34 kms. north and 68 east of
Baloloy said that the latest shake was still an aftershock of the Friday tremor that rocked Bicol up to intensity VI, the highest to hit this area.
He said more than 500 aftershocks were detected by their seismographs since Friday although only six were felt by the residents.
“Usually, aftershocks lasts one to two weeks from the main event,” Baloloy told The STAR.
Further, Cedric Daep, chief of Albay’s Provincial Disaster Management Office, has allayed fears brought by aftershocks to the residents here through radio broadcasts, saying these are expected due to the strong temblor that hit Bicol province on Friday.
Instead, Daep advised the public to stay calm whenever an earthquake takes place, and to take the necessary precautions to avoid or minimize possible injuries or accidents.
Daep was apprently reacting to reports that hundreds were confirmed hurt when they panicked during Sunday’s strong tremor.
Solidum said aftershocks are still expected in the coming days.
Magnitude refers to the measure of energy of an earthquake specified on the Richter scale.
On the other hand, the intensity of an earthquake is a measure of the severity of shaking and its attendant damage at a point on the surface of the earth.
- Latest
- Trending
