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Magnitude 6.3 quake in Luzon not related to 'Big One' —PHIVOLCS


The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) on Friday said that the magnitude 6.3 quake that hit Luzon has has no connection to "The Big One," the feared high-magnitude earthquake that could be generated by the West Valley Fault.

Earthquake Monitoring Division head Ismael Narag said that Friday's earthquake was caused by a movement along the Manila Trench, an oceanic trench in the West Philippine Sea.

"Hindi ito related sa magnitude 7.2 na fault na bumabagtas sa Metro Manila, ito po ay related sa nag-fracture na plate along Manila Trench," Narag said.

The magnitude 6.3 quake hit Luzon at 1:28 p.m. with the epicenter located in Lian, Batangas and had a depth of 177 kilometers.

While there are no immediate reports of damage, Narag said aftershocks are possible.

"Sa ganitong pagkakataon wala kaming nakikitang damage since ang modeling na ginawa ay intensity 4 dahil  nga 160 kilometers ang lalim ng earthquake. Kung sakali ito ay mababaw, we do expect na meron ng damages sa lugar na malapit sa epicenter area," Narag said.

Narag said Friday's quake was not related to the tremor that struck Batangas last April.

On April 4, a magnitude 5.5 earthquake which had a depth of focus of three kilometers struck Tingloy, Batangas. The quake was followed by more than 1,000 aftershocks and damaged Taal Basilica (Minor Basilica of Saint Martin of Tours) and other buildings.

Narag said that the difference between the recent quake and the previous magnitude 5.5 quake in Batangas is the depth of focus in which the latter had more effect on the surface.

Narag reminded the public to always be ready, given that recent earthquakes have been occurring in populated areas.

"Palala lang talaga natin na ang Pilipinas ay talagang madalas maganap ang lindol so kung mapapansin natin nitong 2017 medyo sunod sunod ang earthquake natin. Yung earthquake ngayon ay nagaganap malapit sa mga populated areas dahil dito nagkakaroon tayo ng mga casualties kaya importante po na lagi tayong naghahanda," he said. —Marlly Rome Bondoc/JST, GMA News

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