By Catherine J. Teves
THE Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology warned of further aftershocks from the 6.7-magnitude earthquake that hit Surigao City and Surigao del Norte Friday night.
Phivolcs science research analyst Paulo Sawi cautioned against occupying structures already damaged by the earthquake, warning aftershocks can further harm these.
“People must avoid staying inside and even going near such structures,” he said.
He urged such precaution, expecting in forthcoming days further aftershocks from the earthquake.
“Owners must have their earthquake-damaged structures checked first so repair work can be done if this is still possible,” he said.
Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum sees need for the public to learn anticipating natural hazards’ consequences and to act on these accordingly.
“It’s important to be always ready to react correctly,” Solidum said after a magnitude 6.7 undersea earthquake of tectonic origin jolted Surigao del Norte province’s vicinity late Friday night.
Latest Phivolcs data show the 10:03 p.m. offshore earthquake this Friday struck 14 kms north 78° west of Surigao del Norte’s Surigao City at a depth of 11 kms only.
Less than an hour after the earthquake struck, Phivolcs said available data indicate this event would unlikely generate a tsunami.
National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said families in Surigao del Norte’s capital Surigao City evacuated to higher ground there, fearing possible onslaught of tsunamis.
Solidum sees nothing wrong with such evacuation even if Phivolcs assured the earthquake won’t generate tsunamis, however.
He noted the evacuation was still better than having no precautionary action as occurrence of a “strong” earthquake like Friday’s tremblor is among indications a tsunami might ensue.
