Recently Discovered Fault Caused Negros Earthquakes

 

A recently discovered fault line caused the magnitude-6.9 quake that shook Dumaguete and its neighboring regions (Visayas region) on the afternoon of February 6, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

 

 

 

 

 

The earthquake was caused by the sudden shifting of two tectonic plates in the Visayas area. The shift was from a "blind fault" some 20kms below the earth between Negros and Cebu.

 

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Earthquake Safety Tips

Nowadays, we are experiencing earthquake in different parts of the world. A little knowledge and a few precautionary measures can increase your chances of surviving an earthquake - or any other type of hazardous events. The keys are education and preparedness. The earthquake safety tips below will not make you an expert. However, they could make a life-saving difference if you find yourself in a situation such as this - an earthquake situation. Educate yourself by studying simple safety tips below.

Before the Earthquake:

• Learn how to survive during the ground motion. This is described in the "During the Earthquake" section below. These earthquake safety tips will prepare you for the fast action needed - most earthquakes are over in seconds so knowing what to do instinctively is very important.
• Teach members of your family about earthquake safety precautions. This includes: 1) the actions you should take when an earthquake occurs, 2) the safe places in a room such as under a strong desk, along interior walls, and 3) places to avoid such as near windows, large mirrors, hanging objects, heavy furniture and fireplaces.
• Stock up on emergency supplies. These include: battery operated radio (and extra batteries), flashlights (and extra batteries), first aid kit, bottled water, two-week worth of food and medical supplies, blankets, cooking fuel, tools needed to turn off your gas, water and electric utilities.

Phivolcs: Intensity Alert Levels

A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck between the islands of Negros and Cebu before noon Monday, February 6, 2012, killing at least 7 people and prompting government volcanologists to raise a tsunami alert.

Intensity

Phivolcs said the following intensities were felt in the following areas:

• Intensity VII - Dumaguete City; Vallehermoso, Negros Oriental

• Intensity VI - La Carlota City and La Castellana, Negros Occidental; Argao, Cebu

• Intensity V - Roxas City; Dao and Ivisan, Capiz; Iloilo City; Ayungon, Negros Oriental; Kanlaon City; Lapu-lapu City; Guimaras; Cebu City; San Carlos City; Bacolod City; Sagay City; Tagbilaran City; Candoni, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental

• Intensity IV - San Jose de Buenavista, Pandan, Anini-y, Patnungon, Antique; Kalibo, Aklan; Dipolog City; Sipalay, Negros Occidental; Ormoc City

• Intensity III - Butuan City, Agusan del Norte; Legaspi City, Albay; Carmen, Cagayan de Oro; Tacloban City; Catbalogan; Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte; Masbate, Masbate; Cagayan de Oro City

• Intensity II - Cabid-an, Sorsogon; Borongan, Eastern Samar; Mambajao, Camiguin

• Intensity I - Pagadian City

Quake in Negros Prompted Tsunami Warning

The earthquake also prompted a tsunami warning from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), alerting residents near the coastal areas of Negros and Cebu to watch for unusual waves. But, according to Phivolcs, not requiring any evacuation just yet.


The tsunami alert was canceled after no further reports of unusual sea level changes were received after the two-hour extended observation period.

But more aftershocks could be expected in the next few weeks in areas near the epicenter, according to Ishmael Narag, officer in charge of the Phivolcs’ seismology division. As of 1 p.m. Monday, February 6, 2012, Phivolcs had recorded 16 aftershocks.

The quake triggered another landslide in the mountain village of Solongon in La Libertad town, also in Negros Oriental. An unknown number of people were trapped, said Inspector Eric Arrol Besario, the town police chief.


The earthquake sent shoppers scrambling under tables and workers and students rushing out of their buildings in cities of Negros and Cebu.

Classes in all public and private schools in Negros Oriental were suspended, while businesses in Dumaguete City were closed due to reported aftershocks. Intensity V was experienced in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.