SunStar: 4 tsunami-prone areas ID’d in N Mindanao

State weather forecasters have identified four tsunami-prone areas in Northern Mindanao, allowing disaster management agencies to prepare for them. Sun-Star Cagayan de Oro (www.sunstar.com.ph) reported Wednesday night that the four are Sultan Naga Dimaporo in Lanao del Norte; Lopez Jaena and Plaridel in Misamis Occidental; and Gingoog City in Misamis Oriental. Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) Northern Mindanao officer-in-charge Ricardo Mercado noted the last time a tsunami hit Sultan Naga Dimaporo was on Aug. 16, 1976. Mercado said the areas mentioned are prone to tsunami, especially if a sea earthquake triggers a movement of the earth with an intensity of magnitude seven or greater. On the other hand, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) OIC Marcial Labininay admitted they do not have the capacity to predict an upcoming earthquake and its strength. Labininay said only enough preparations can prevent much damage in times of calamity. - GMANews.TV