PHIVOLCS recorded around 2,400 aftershocks so far after Abra earthquake

Around 2,400 aftershocks have been recorded so far after the magnitude 7 earthquake that hit Abra on July 27, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said Friday.

“Marami na pong nangyaring aftershocks sa Abra at saka paligid na mga probinsya. Mga 2,400 na aftershocks na ang naitala since July 27,” PHIVOLCS chief Renato Solidum Jr. at a public briefing.

(A lot of aftershocks occurred in Abra and surrounding provinces. Around 2,400 aftershocks have been recorded since July 27.)

The number of aftershocks recorded daily has been declining, he added.

According to Solidum, the strongest aftershock detected so far was magnitude 5.1 with Intensity V or strong shaking.

He said such aftershocks would not further damage infrastructure but it may trigger landslides.

Solidum said Intensity VI is dangerous to damaged buildings. He advised affected residents not to return immediately to their homes or establishments without conducting inspection and repair.

Meanwhile, the PHIVOLCS chief also clarified that the cracks found in the affected areas are not “new fault lines”. According to him, these cracks are due to landslides, liquefaction, and sand boil. —KG, GMA News