Verify quake, tsunami reports, public urged

ALWAYS verify tsunami warnings with official sources first rather than believe gossip spread through text messages or word of mouth.

This was the advice of the Lapu-Lapu city office of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

Robinson Jorgio, acting Lapu-Lapu Phivolcs chief, said their agency usually alerts the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) first which in turn notifies all local government units.

Or call the Phivolcs office directly at (032) 340-2951 to verify if an earthquake happens and you want to check if there’s a risk of a tsumani.

Jorgio gave this advice after a Cebu radio blocktimer was charged in court due to last February’s tsunami scare.

Danilo Cogtas was charged with causing tumult and public disturbance for allegedly shouting to neighbors in barangay Pasil to run for safety because of a tsunami.

He denied the charge.

Jorgio said there is still no available technology to predict the occurrence of earthquakes.

He said a locally generated tsunami is expected to occur three to five minutes after a strong earthquake measuring over five on the Richter scale.

Regionally generated tremors or those created by earthquakes from neighboring areas like Japan and Solomon islands in the Pacific Ocean occur 24 to 48 hours from the last tremor, Jorgio said.

For quakes in Hawaii, a tsunami will possibly strike in less than 24 hours, he said.

Jorgio said the panic caused in Cebu happened three hours after a 6.9 magnitude earthquake hit Negros Oriental in Grntusty.

But since the earthquake was beyond magnitude six, Jorgio said Phivolcs issued a level 2 tsunami alert.

Jorgio classified the tsunami alert into three levels which he described as the “Ready, Get Set, and Go” phases.

Level one or “Ready”, is the lowest level. The public is notified of a possible tsunami whose chance of occurrence is slim.

Level two or “Get Set” warns the public to be ready for a possible tsunami.

The third and highest level or “Go” calls for immediate evacuation of residents living near the quake’s epicenter and surrounding area.

Phivolcs issued a three-item checklist that a person must consider after a strong earthquake.

First, check whether it’s difficult to stand still while the earth is shaking.

If one spots a high tide and hears a thunder-like rumbling sound, evacuate to safety in the nearest elevated place.

He said the evacuation should be done in a calm and orderly manner. /Correspondent Jessa J. Agua