Phivolcs: Movement in PH Trench could be cause of series of quakes in Davao region

MANILA, Philippines — Movements of the Philippine Trench could be the cause of the series of earthquakes in Davao region, an official of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said Monday.

Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum said this after Davao Oriental was hit by a 5.7-magnitude earthquake on Monday morning.

“Posible itong related pa rin sa serye ng paglindol diyan sa karagatan east ng Davao Oriental na sanhi ng pagkilos ng Philippine Trench,” he said in an interview over ABS-CBN’s TeleRadyo.

(This is possibly related to the series of earthquakes in the seas east of Davao Oriental caused by movements of the Philippine Trench.)

“Tama kayo. Noong mga nakaraang buwan, may 7.1-magnitude doon at ito ay patuloy na kumikilos sa portion na ‘yun,” he further said when asked if the Philippine Trench caused the series of earthquakes in Davao region.

(Last month, there was a 7.1-magnitude quake there and the portion of the trench there is continuously moving.)

More earthquakes could still be expected in the area, Solidum said, since the trench is still active. Quakes could also be felt up north in Surigao and the Visayas.

“Itong nangyari sa Davao Oriental area, sa karagatan, sanhi ng Philippine Trench, talaga namang aktibo itong trench na ito so from time to time may earthquake talaga diyan,” he said.

(What happened here in the Davao Oriental area waters was caused by the Philippine Trench, which is active so there are earthquakes in the area from time to time.)

Meanwhile, the series of quakes felt in Southern Mindanao, particularly in Cotabato and Davao del Sur are caused by the Makilala-Malungon fault. The latest quake recorded was the 6.1-magnitude quake felt in Davao del Sur on Sunday.

Solidum reminded residents to be alert and be prepared for earthquakes.

“Pwede talagang magkaroon ng lindol diyan so kailangan talagang ever ready, talagang handang handa parati ang kababayan natin,” he said.

(Earthquakes could be experienced there so residents should always be ready.)

“It goes also to other places sa ating bansa na paminsan minsan bibisitahin talaga tayo ng mga mararamdamang lindol,” Solidum added.

(Also residents of other places where earthquakes may occur should also be always ready.)

JE