SERIES OF EARTHQUAKES. Dr. Raymond Patrick Maximo (left), a science research specialist of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), says the purpose of their visit to Davao de Oro on Wednesday (March 8, 2023) is to clarify reports about the Leonard Kniaseff volcano in Maco town as the suspected cause of the series of tremors. Reports circulating on social media blames the volcano for the series of tremors that have rocked the province in recent weeks. (PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.)
NABUNTURAN, Davao de Oro – A team from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) clarified Wednesday social media posts attributing the series of strong earthquakes that rocked the province to an active volcano.
Dr. Raymond Patrick Maximo, Phivolcs science research specialist, said Leonard Kniaseff, an active volcano in Maco municipality, some 47 kilometers from this capital town, has no connection whatsoever to the earthquakes experienced by the province and neighboring areas in the past weeks.
Maximo was referring to unverified reports circulated on social media that the volcano will soon erupt.
“The earthquake in Davao de Oro is tectonic in origin meaning, it is due to an active fault line. It has no connection with the Amakan crater of the Leonard Kniaseff volcano," Maximo clarified.
He explained that tectonic earthquakes are due to the active fault and trenches while volcanic earthquakes are associated with the movement of magma inside an active volcano.
The origin of the latest earthquakes, he said, is being investigated through the use of scientific tools to reduce people's fear. This includes, he said, a visit to the volcano to conduct the necessary testing.
Two strong tremors jolted the province -- a 5.9 magnitude at 2:02 p.m. and another 5.6 magnitude at 4:47 p.m.
Maximo also urged the public to inquire about any earthquake-related question only at Phivolcs official social media pages.
“Do not believe anything that is posted on social media which can only cause fear and confusion,” Maximo said.
“Just be prepared, be always prepared because we cannot predict earthquakes,” he added.
However, Maximo made it clear that the series of earthquakes in the province is “not alarming.”
Meanwhile, Governor Dorothy Gonzaga urged her constituents not to believe what they read on social media unless it is coming from authorities.
“Sooner we will know the cause of these (earthquakes) after they are finished with their investigation here,” she said. (PNA)
