MANILA -- The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has recorded 46 aftershocks from the magnitude 5.7 earthquake that jolted Surigao del Sur last Sept. 21, its chief said on Thursday.
Data as of 7 a.m. bared aftershocks ranging from magnitudes 2.1 to 5.2, Phivolcs director Renato Solidum, Jr. told the Philippine News Agency.
"The earthquake was caused by the movement of the Philippine Sea Plate along the Philippine Trench, a major earthquake generator," he said.
Solidum added that earthquakes are common in that area, and the Philippine trench could actually generate large magnitude earthquakes.
The magnitude 5.7 tectonic quake struck 87 km. northeast of the municipality of Bayabas at 6:13 a.m. last Monday. Intensity 4 was felt in the epicenter.
Phivolcs previously recorded it as magnitude 6.1 quake, and later downgraded it to magnitude 5.7.
Aftershocks with magnitudes 5.1 and 5.2 were logged on Thursday morning, at 6:19 a.m. and 10:25 a.m., respectively. Bayabas, Surigao del Sur was also the epicenter of both earthquakes.
There were no reported intensities for the magnitude 5.1 quake, while Intensity III was felt in Tandag City; and Marihatag, Surigao del Sur during the magnitude 5.2 quake.
Solidum earlier mentioned that the public must be prepared for strong earthquakes, and need to prepare their houses, buildings, and communities. (PNA)
