Phivolcs Releases Bulletin about the Earthquake in Northern Samar, August 19, 2024
EARTHQUAKE – The Phivolcs recorded a 5.7 magnitude quake in Northern Samar, August 19, 2024. Here are the details.
Following the 4.2 magnitude earthquake in Surigao del Sur a few days ago, another significant quake was recently recorded by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) in another province. According to the agency, the quake recently hit Northern Samar and it has a magnitude of 5.7.
The earthquake that struck Northern Samar, Monday, August 19, 2024, was tectonic in origin. A tectonic quake is a shaking which is a product when the Earth’s crust breaks because of the geological forces on the rocks and the adjoining plates which result to chemical and physical changes.
According to Phivolcs, the earthquake that hit a part of Northern Samar was located at 12.87°North, 124.89°East – 034 km North 08° West of Pambujan. It had a depth of focus of 054 kilometers.
Phivolcs stated in its bulletin that damages are not expected from the said quake but there may be aftershocks. According to the quake-recording agency, the following intensities were felt in these areas:
Intensity II
- Calubian, Hilongos, Leyte, and Mahaplag, LEYTE
- Hinunangan and Sogod, SOUTHERN LEYTE
Intensity III
- City of Legazpi and City of Tabaco, ALBAY
- Virac, CATANDUANES
- City of Masbate, MASBATE
- Bulusan and Irosin, SORSOGON
- Burauen and Javier, LEYTE
Intensity IV
- Pilar and City of Sorsogon, SORSOGON
Intensity V
- Bobon, Catarman, Laoang, Lavezares, Palapag, Rosario, and San Roque, NORTHERN SAMAR
Earthquakes can hardly be predicted accurately as most experts in the field agree on. Thus, most countries really make sure that they have a bureau or an organization that monitors a quake incident across their nation.
Quakes can happen in land and underwater. In the case of the latter, it can trigger tsunami thus quake-recording agencies are also often the one that monitors tsunami threats. They are the bodies releasing advisories whenever there are threats of tsunami following a strong quake shaking the land in the coastal area or underwater.
On land, quakes can result to damages and loss of lives thus it is important to be aware of the earthquake safety tips to reduce the risk of damages and loss of lives by knowing what to do.