The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Monday, Jan. 22 said the country experiences four to five tremors every week.
In the event titled "MAGHANDA: Communicating Hazards, Risks, and Early Warning for Policymakers," Phivolcs Science Research Specialist and Geologist Daniel Buhay said the Philippines is subjected to different hazards including flooding, earthquake, volcanic eruptions, drought, storm surges, typhoons, and landslides.
"The Philippines is located just few degrees above the equator and beside the Pacific Ocean, and it is also within the Pacific Ring of Fire, which means it is subjected to lots of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions," Buhay said.
Buhay said based on the report of Phivolcs, at least 20 earthquakes were recorded per day on the average from which four to five tremors were felt.
Buhay also said 100 to 150 earthquakes were felt per year, while 100 "destructive" earthquakes were already felt in the country in the past 400 years.
Buhay noted the active faults in the country including the Philippine Fault, East and West Valley Faults, North Bohol Fault, and Cotabato Fault System among others.
Buhay also warned of threats from earthquakes which includes ground rupture that occurs when the deformation affects the Earth's surface; ground shaking or the "disruptive" motion that may last for minutes; liquefaction when the movement occurs at water-rich areas or sandy sediments; landlsides; tsunami; and fire.