MANILA – A total of 227 aftershocks have already been recorded as a result of the magnitude 7 earthquake that jolted Abra on Wednesday.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said five of these aftershocks were felt, while 12 were plotted or located.
Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum Jr. said the last strong earthquake in the country that caused damage was the magnitude 6.6 quake in Masbate in August 2020.
In a radio interview, Solidum said the Abra earthquake may produce aftershocks that could happen in the next three to four days, weeks, or even months.
"Ito pong lindol kanina ay isang major earthquake, ang initial calculation natin ay magnitude 7.3 at may lalim 25 kiloemeters kaya mababaw at malakas itong intensity (The earthquake earlier is a major earthquake. Our initial calculation was it was a magnitude 7.3 and was 25 kilometers deep. It was shallow and had a strong intensity)," he said.
"Aftershocks may last for months, but over time, the number would decrease," he added.
Phivolcs later updated it as magnitude 7, and said the quake had a depth of 17 kilometers.
It also said there is no destructive tsunami threat due to the magnitude 7 earthquake.
"However, earthquakes of this size may generate unusual sea level disturbances that may be observed along coasts near earthquake epicenter of Abra province," it said. (PNA)
