Davao Oriental quake generated by Philippine Trench, says Phivolcs
PHIVOLCS
The powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck Davao Oriental on Friday morning, Oct. 10 was generated by the Philippine Trench, one of six active trenches that surround the country, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.
Phivolcs Director Dr. Teresito Bacolcol said the Philippine Trench, which lies off the eastern seaboard of Mindanao, is a known earthquake generator capable of producing large-magnitude tremors.
“We have six active trenches—the Manila Trench, Negros Trench, Sulu Trench, Cotabato Trench, East Luzon Trough, and the Philippine Trench, which is the one that produced this one,” Bacolcol said during a press conference on Friday.
He cited historical records showing that the same area has experienced several major earthquakes caused by the movement along the Philippine Trench.
These include a magnitude 7.1 quake in 1992, 7.5 in 1921, 7.2 in 1929, 7.6 in 1952, and 8.3 in 1924.
Bacolcol said these past events show that large earthquakes are part of the long-term seismic activity of the Philippine Trench.
As of 3 p.m., Phivolcs had recorded 266 aftershocks, 11 of which were felt, with the strongest registering magnitude 5.8.
“Based on its magnitude as well as its depth, we expect damage and we also expect aftershocks,” Bacolcol said.
He explained that aftershocks may continue for several days or weeks, though they will become weaker over time.