The southern part of the Philippines continues to buzz with seismic activity post-Saturday's massive earthquake. According to Philvolcs, the local earthquake monitoring center, over 1600 aftershocks have been recorded since then. Last night, a 6.8-magnitude quake hit the same province, with Philvolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol predicting more tremors in the coming weeks. The intensity may decrease over time, but the population should brace for them, he stated on Philippine television.
A tsunami warning issued after Saturday's quake off Surigao Del Sur in Mindanao's east coast was later lifted. The US earthquake observatory initially assessed the quake at 7.6, while the Philippine authorities pegged it at 7.4.
Regrettably, a pregnant woman lost her life amid the rubble of a destroyed house. Four others were injured. Hundreds of houses and two bridges suffered damages, some of them severely. Those affected should stay in evacuation centers to consult with civil engineers before returning home to check for cracks or damage, warned Bacolcol. If visible cracks or damage are detected, houses could collapse in a strong aftershock.
The Southeast Asian island country, situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire, experiences volcanic eruptions and earthquakes frequently. In 1990, a 7.8-magnitude quake caused significant destruction on Luzon, resulting in over 2,400 fatalities.
Despite the numerous aftershocks following the weekend's earthquake, a man embarked on a weekend trip to Manila, oblivious to the ongoing seismic activities. The disaster left several structures with visible cracks and damages, creating a potential risk for pregnant women and their unborn children, as warned by a local health official.
In an attempt to ensure safety, volunteers organized community outreach programs in affected areas, distributing food, water, and earthquake safety information, especially to pregnant women and families with children.
As the week progressed, Manila began to return to normal, but the looming fear of another natural disaster lingered in the minds of its residents, given the impact of a previous earthquake and tsunami in other Philippine regions.
Enrichment Data:
- Current Situation:
- Earthquake Details: A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit off Mindanao, Philippines, on February 16, 2025, around 6:30 a.m. local time (2230 GMT) as per USGS and the Philippine seismological agency.[1]
- Location: The epicenter was approximately 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Barcelona in Mindanao's east.[1]
- Tsunami Warning: No tsunami warning was issued by either the US Tsunami Warning System or the Philippine seismological agency.[1]
- Damage and Injuries: At the time of the reports, there were no immediate reports of casualties or damages.[1] Local disaster officer Ian Onsing stated that the shaking was strong but no significant damage was expected, and they were monitoring for aftershocks.[1]
- Forecast for Aftershocks:
- Expected Aftershocks: The local seismological agency warned of aftershocks following the earthquake, although no specific number or timing was provided.[1]
- General Context:
- Earthquake Frequency: The Philippines lies within the Pacific Ring of Fire, a zone known for frequent seismic and volcanic activity. Although most earthquakes are too weak to be felt, strong and destructive quakes can occur without warning.[1][2][3]
References: [1] [2] [3]
