Following the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck off the coast of Davao Oriental, state meteorologists have recorded 1,387 aftershocks.
Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) Director Teresito Bacolcol said that the aftershocks were caused by stones still moving around the epicenter of the magnitude 7.4 quake on October 10.
‘Ang source po ng lindol would be the Philippine Trench and as of 10 a.m. today nakapagtala po tayo ng 1,387 aftershocks kung saan out of these 1,387 aftershocks, 19 of these were felt by residents,’ Bacolcol said on the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon public briefing.
(The source of these earthquakes would be the Philippine Trench and as of 10 a.m. today, we have recorded 1,387 aftershocks whereas, out of these 1,387 aftershocks, 19 of these were felt by residents.)
The new wave of aftershocks was felt earlier on Wednesday in Nabunturan, Davao de Oro. Strong aftershocks were also recorded in Manay and Mati City in Davao Oriental in the previous days.
Aftershocks were also recorded in Surigao del Sur, Davao del Sur, Davao de Oro, South Cotabato and Sarangani.
Bacolcol said that aftershocks after strong earthquakes were very common, and reassured that aftershocks as strong as the original earthquake were unlikely.
The Phivolcs director explained the earthquake that struck Davao Oriental was not because of a fault line, but due to the Philippine Trench, which lies along the Philippine Sea plate.
Bacolcol explained that this is why areas that face the Philippine Sea also occasionally experience strong earthquakes, not just eastern Mindanao.
The earthquake in Davao killed eight people, injuring 196 others.