M5.1 aftershock jolts Cebu, Bohol; further shocks expected

A magnitude-5.1 aftershock from Tuesday's killer magnitude-7.2 quake struck Bohol before noon Wednesday, even as state seismologists warned of more aftershocks for at least one more week.

 

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology science specialist Carl Vincent Soriano said the quake was recorded at 10:42 a.m., and was felt at Intensity V in some areas.

 

But Soriano said they do not expect aftershocks to be as powerful as Tuesday's magnitude 7.1.

 

"May aftershock na nararamdaman minsan sunod-sunod, pero hindi kasing lakas ng kahapon. Hindi namin ine-expect may susunod ganitong kalakas na aftershock," he said in an interview on dzBB radio.

 

As of 11 a.m. Wednesday, Soriano said Phivolcs had recorded 857 aftershocks.

 

He added successive aftershocks may be expected in the next "two to three days or a week," after which they will become less frequent.

 

"Mga two to three days or a week may sunod-sunod na aftershock. Magiging mas madalang as the days go by (Successive aftershocks are expected for the next two to three days to a week. But after that, expect them to be less frequent)," he said.

 

Phivolcs' initial bulletin on Wednesday's aftershock indicated the epicenter was at 57 km east of Tagbilaran City.

 

The quake was tectonic in origin even as Phivolcs said no damage was expected. — TJD, GMA News