Phivolcs classifies Abra quake as ‘major earthquake’; aftershocks to last for months

Poblacion-Sakkawwa-Wayangan is not passable to 4-wheel drive due to landslide following the magnitude 7.3 earthquake that hit Abra province this morning, July 27, 2022. (Source: MDRRMC Tubo)

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) classified as a “major earthquake” the magnitude 7 earthquake that hit Abra province and shook parts of Luzon on Wednesday, with a warning that it may cause multiple aftershocks which could last for months.

“Ito pong lindol kaninang 8:43 [a.m.] ay isang major earthquake, ang initial automated calculation natin ay magnitude 7.3 may lalim na 25 kilometers kaya mababaw ito at malakas ang intensity,” said Phivolcs officer-in-charge Renato Solidum in an interview over ABS-CBN TeleRadyo.

(This earthquake at 8:43 a.m. is a major earthquake, our initial automated calculation is magnitude 7.3 with a depth of 25 kilometers so it is shallow and has a strong intensity.)

READ: Magnitude 7 quake jolts Luzon

According to Solidum, the major earthquake might produce many aftershocks over the course of the following few days and could continue for months, but fewer in number.

“Sa mga susunod na araw marami, at pwede pong mga first week marami pero pahina na ‘yan usually mga after 3 or 4 days,” said Solidum.

(In the next few days there will be many, and there may be many in the first week, but that page is usually after 3 or 4 days.)

“Pwede po magtagal yan ng mga buwan pero with time bumababa ang bilang (it can take months but with time the number decreases),” said Solidum.

He then warned that the quake which had its epicenter just 2 kilometers northeast of Lagangilang, Abra, may have caused damage in the said area, as well as in nearby provinces.

“Puwede po magkaroon ng mga damage sa mga bahay at building, na puwede pong mag-collapse kung sila ay hindi maayos ang pagkakagawa,” said Solidum.

(There can be damage to houses and buildings, which can collapse if they are not properly constructed.)

PHOTO: office of Abra Rep. Ching Bernos via Julie Aurelio/Philippine Daily Inquirer

PHOTO: office of Abra Rep. Ching Bernos via Julie Aurelio/Philippine Daily Inquirer

“Ang importante po tignan natin kung ano ang magiging report sa ating mga simulations at doon sa Abra at ilang bayan at karatig na probinsya na pwede pong mataas ang intensity,” it added.

(The important thing is for us to see what the report will be in our simulations in Abra and some towns and neighboring provinces where the intensity can be high.)

Meanwhile, damaged structures, power lines, walls and bridges have already been reported in several provinces.

The earthquake has also prompted the local government of Baguio and Abra to suspend classes and government work.

Solidum said that Phivolcs is looking at the Vigan-Aggao fault as the main cause of the earthquake.

Phivolcs first gave the earthquake a magnitude of 7.3, however it was later reduced to 7.

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