Phivolcs denies talk of imminent big quake in Central Visayas

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology chief Renato Solidum. AFP File Photo

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology on Monday allayed fears of a supposed impending bigger earthquake in Central Visayas after last week’s 7.2 magnitude earthquake that was spread through text messages and  online.

“There’s a very small chance for another stronger earthquake there. No device can ever predict an earthquake. It is best to consult proper authorities to clarify these kinds of messages,” Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum said.

“It would take another hundred years to generate a new quake of that magnitude in that same fault plane,” he said, adding that aftershocks would continue for weeks and they would eventually decline.

He also said that last Tuesday’s earthquake was generated by a fault plane other than the initially suspected East Bohol fault.

He said that in their study in 2007, they identified three fault planes in Bohol — the north and south offshore and East Bohol fault. Tuesday’s quake was likely triggered by the north offshore fault.

Solidum said the existence of the fault, which was defined as a hidden or blind fault, was postulated in 2007 but it was only validated because of last week’s earthquake.

The epicenter of the Bohol quake was between Catigbian and Sagbayan.

As of 10 a.m. Monday, there were 2,255 aftershocks from the Bohol quake last Tuesday. There were 49 reported intensities.

No volcanoes forming

Solidum also dismissed talk that a volcano was forming after the quake, saying that what happened was liquefaction.

This is a process of water-saturated soil  that is converted into liquid substance.

The allegations came after some areas formed a mud with water that had a pungent smell.

Solidum also warned residents not to enter heavily damaged structures.

“They should avoid these because it might collapse anytime,” he said.

At the same time, he also warned residents to avoid hilly areas.

“Avoid areas with visible incipient landslides,” he also said.

Death toll rising

The Bohol quake has so far claimed 186 lives –173 in Bohol, 12 in Cebu and one in Siquijor.

Eleven remained missing, all of which were from Bohol.

It also affected 3 million persons in Central Visayas, with about 109,000 persons housed in shelters.