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Philippines: Earthquake of 6.7 magnitude felt off east coast of Mindanao island No tsunami threat from earthquake Earthquake tremors were felt off the east coast of the Philippines’ Mindanao island on Saturday. The magnitude of the earthquake was 6.7 on the Richter scale. The German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ) said the epicenter of the earthquake was at a depth of 10 km (6.21 miles) below the ground. According to the US Geological Survey, the magnitude of the earthquake was 6.8. The US National Tsunami Warning Center said there was no tsunami threat from the earthquake.
The Philippine seismological agency PHIVOLCS said the earthquake was not expected to cause damage, but warned of aftershocks. The Philippines is in the “Fire Ring” of the Pacific Ocean, where volcanic activity and earthquakes are common.
Fear of a major earthquake in the Philippines
Earthquakes have always occurred in the Philippines, but people there fear a major earthquake that would kill a large number of people and devastate the country. Stories of big earthquakes have been coming here for generations. In the Philippines, unlike Japan, there are no houses which are not affected by earthquakes or are affected very little. Despite this, people here have become accustomed to the incidents of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. This is why there was no damage despite the magnitude being more than 6 on the Richter scale. In countries like India, the risk of earthquakes is relatively low. Here an earthquake of magnitude 6 can cause a lot of destruction.
Why do earthquakes occur?
In recent times, an increase in the incidents of earthquakes is being seen in many areas of the country and the world. Actually, there are 7 tectonic plates inside our earth. These plates keep rotating in their place continuously. However, sometimes there is a collision or friction between them. This is the reason why incidents of earthquakes are seen on the earth.
Every year there are about 20 thousand earthquakes in the world
Every year there are about 20 thousand earthquakes in the world, but their intensity is not so high that people suffer heavy losses. The National Earthquake Information Center records these earthquakes. According to information, out of 20,000 earthquakes, only 100 are such that cause damage. The longest lasting earthquake in history so far came in the Indian Ocean in 2004. This earthquake was felt for 10 minutes.
How can one estimate the intensity of an earthquake on the Richter scale?
- 0 to 1.9 Information is obtained from the seismograph
- 2 to 2.9 Very little vibration is detected
- 3 to 3.9 It will feel as if a heavy vehicle has passed by
- 4 to 4.9 Items kept in the house can fall down from their place
- 5 to 5.9 Heavy items and furniture can also move
- 6 to 6.9 The base of the building can crack
- 7 to 7.9 Buildings collapse
- 8 to 8.9 Threat of tsunami, more destruction
- 9 or more is the most severe destruction, the vibration of the earth will be clearly felt.
