Phivolcs: Bukidnon quakes not connected with mag-7.6 quake in Samar

The series of quakes that rocked Bukidnon in Mindanao since Monday night — including a magnitude-5.6 quake before dawn Tuesday — are not connected with last Friday's magnitude-7.6 quake in Samar, state seismologists said Tuesday.

 

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology head Renato Solidum Jr. also said Tuesday's predawn quake was part of an earthquake swarm that hit the region since Monday night.

 

"Hindi sila magkaugnay. Yung Friday, kilos ng Philippine Trench yan," Solidum said in an interview on dzBB radio.

 

Bukidnon's quakes are due to a local fault that caused quakes from "time to time," he added.

 

Last Friday, a magnitude-7.6 quake hit Eastern Samar, affecting several areas in Eastern Visayas and Mindanao. At least one person was killed in the wake of that quake.

 

Before dawn Tuesday, Phivolcs recorded a powerful quake in Bukidnon. It initially measured the quake at magnitude 5.8, but Solidum said an updated report measured it at magnitude 5.6. 'Earthquake swarm'

 

"May earthquake swarm na nangyari sa nabanggit ninyong lugar malapit sa Valencia at Maramag. Ang pinakamalakas kaninang 3:44 a.m. Ang initial natin magnitude 5.8, sa final latest bulletin magnitude 5.6," Solidum said.

 

He noted there was a powerful aftershock measured at magnitude 4.9.

 

An updated Phivolcs bulletin measured the 3:44 a.m. quake at magnitude 5.6, with the epicenter at 15 km northwest of Maramag in Bukidnon. The quake was felt at:

 

 

Aftershocks were expected from the quake, Phivolcs said.

 

On the other hand, another Phivolcs bulletin said the aftershock was recorded at 3:52 a.m., with the epicenter at 2 km southwest of Maramag in Bukidnon.

 

It was felt at:

 

While no damage was expected from the quake, further aftershocks were expected.

 

Foreshocks

 

Solidum also said there were foreshocks in the Bukidnon quake, including:

 

It was felt at Intensity III in Musuan and Maramag (Bukidnon); and Intensity II at Valencia City and Malaybalay City (Bukidnon). The United States Geological Survey defines foreshocks as "relatively smaller earthquakes that precede the largest earthquake in a series."