(Photo courtesy of PIA Abra)
MANILA – Over 800 aftershocks have been recorded almost 24 hours after a magnitude 7 earthquake jolted Abra, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported Thursday.
A total of 815 aftershocks were recorded as of 8 a.m. Of these, 168 were plotted or located, and 24 were felt.
Magnitudes of these aftershocks ranged from 1.5 to 5.
On Wednesday, the strong tectonic quake struck 3 kilometers northwest of the municipality of Tayum at 8:43 a.m. It was 17 km deep.
Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum Jr., in a public briefing, said the quake was caused by the movement along the Abra River Fault.
Typically, the first two days would generate many aftershocks, and the number would gradually decrease, he said.
Solidum advised the public to inspect damaged infrastructure first and refrain from staying there for the meantime.
Further, he urged the local government to identify areas that must be avoided for safety reasons. (PNA)
