More Than 700 Aftershocks After Batangas Quake Recorded By Phivolcs
On Thursday (April 06, 2017), the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), recorded over 700 aftershocks after the Batangas quake.
On Tuesday (April 04, 2017), the province of Batangas was struck by a magnitude 5.5 earthquake, which causes damage to a centuries-old Taal Basilica, provincial capitol, and some establishments in the area. The powerful tremor hit the province around 08:58 pm with epicenter at 13.71°N, 120.83°E – 007 km N 37° W of Tingloy, Batangas.
The magnitude 5.5 quake was felt in Batangas, Metro Manila, Lucena City, Quezon, Dasmariñas, Gen. Trias, Mandaluyong City, Quezon City, Makati City, Obando, Bulacan, Cavite, and Santa Ana.
The Batangas Provincial Capitol Building has been also damaged by the powerful tremor. The initial cost of damaged building in the province was amounting P18 million. Batangas has the highest quake intensity, while the other areas in Luzon have lower intensities.
Series of aftershocks were felt after the magnitude 5.5 quake in Batangas, which causes fear to some residents. 10 of the aftershocks have magnitudes between 1.8 and 4.9, which have been felt as of 10:30 am on Thursday morning, according to Phivolcs research assistant Maila Palatino.
Palatino also said that around 716 aftershocks were recorded by Phivolcs after the Batangas quake. The city is expected to experience more aftershocks.
The local government officials of the province advised the public to be well-prepared and avoid to enter buildings and establishments with minor damage. They were also advised to be more aware and observant of their surroundings to avoid falling objects.
Construction materials and relief good were distributed by the local government to the affected residents.
What can you say about the more than 700 aftershocks recorded by Phivolcs after the magnitude 5.5 earthquake in Batangas? Just feel free to leave your comments and reactions for this article.
We have to investigate further. All the recent quakes seems to be concentrated in an area between Taal and Banahaw. Either the jolts are caused by magma rising or their frequency can cause the magma chamber in on or both locations to fracture and open up. For all we know these volcanos may actually be fuelled by only one magma chamber. We just do not know. But investigating and knowing will allow us to prepare better. We may have months before an eruption or we may have weeks. We don’t see any smoke yet so at least we have time. Still we need to investigate and prepare now.