Cebu earthquake caused coastal uplift in Bogo City - PHIVOLCS

A coastal uplift has been observed in Barangay Nailon, Bogo City, Cebu, after the magnitude 6.9 earthquake on September 30, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said on Tuesday.

“The movement of the Bogo Bay Fault resulted in the coastal uplift in Barangay Nailon, Bogo City. The uplift is approximately one meter based on the exposed tidal flats, raised tidal notches, and higher high tide markers,” PHIVOLCS said.

PHIVOLCS stated that the dried-up sea grass on the uplifted tidal flats suggests that the area was once underwater.

The raised tidal notches also show uplift on the coastline near the Bogo Bay Fault during the earthquake, according to PHIVOLCS. It also noted the difference in the height of high tide markers before and after the earthquake.

On Monday, PHIVOLCS recommended a five-meter zone of avoidance from the trace of the Bogo Bay Fault.

The reported death toll due to the earthquake was 72, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Tuesday.

The earthquake has damaged a total of 39,806 houses in Central Visayas. —VBL, GMA Integrated News