PHIVOLCS logs 409 aftershocks following magnitude 6.4 quake in Abra

At least 409 aftershocks have been recorded after a magnitude 6.4 earthquake jolted Lagayan, Abra on Tuesday night, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) on Wednesday.

At the public briefing, PHIVOLCS officer-in-charge Teresito Bacolcol said that five of these aftershocks were felt, with the strongest one having a magnitude of 4.8.

Bacolcol said that it would probably take several days or weeks for the aftershocks to dissipate.

“Pero habang tumatagal, humihina po yung aftershocks at kumokonti po yung aftershock count natin,” he added. 

(But as time goes by, the aftershocks become weaker and the aftershock count decreases.)

PHIVOLCS said the epicenter of the earthquake, which occurred at 10:59 p.m. on Tuesday, was located seven kilometers northwest of Lagayan town.  

Bacolcol said the epicenter was close to the Ilocos fault system.

He said that the earthquake was felt in other areas such as Apayao, Benguet, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, La Union, Cagayan, Isabela, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, and Metro Manila.

The PHIVOLCS OIC said there was no connection between the magnitude 6.4 earthquake in Abra and the magnitude 5.2 temblor that struck Lingig, Surigao del Sur on Tuesday night.

“Malayo po yung Surigao sa Abra; wala pong connection yung dalawa,” he said.

(The two earthquakes had no connection because Surigao is far from Abra.)

Bacolcol, meanwhile, reminded the public to be vigilant and prepared.

“People are reminded to be cautious of the buildings that were visibly damaged by the event last night. So ‘pag may nakikita silang crack sa bahay nila, huwag muna silang pumasok (if they see a crack in their house, they should not enter) and they should consult a municipal engineer or the city engineer and request for advice,” he said.

“The best course of action is preparedness so palagi natin pinapaalala sa mga tao laging handa. If there are earthquake drills we should participate para yung magiging response natin during actual events naging reflex na and would come out naturally,” he added.

(The best course of action is preparedness. We keep reminding our people to be prepared. If there are earthquake drills, we should participate so that when an earthquake actually occurs, our response will be a reflex and come out naturally.) — VBL, GMA News