Strong aftershocks possible from April 2017 Lanao Sur quake

Official seal of Lanao del Sur (Photo By Province of Lanao del Sur – https://lanaodelsur.gov.ph/, Public Domain)

MANILA — Aftershocks stronger than magnitude 5.1 can still occur as a result of the April 12, 2017 magnitude 6.0 earthquake in Lanao del Sur province.

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) warned about such possibility after reporting a magnitude 5.1 aftershock that struck 2:57 a.m. Friday (Dec. 1) some 4.0 kms north 3° east of Lanao del Sur’s Wao municipality at a depth of 9.0 kms.

“The earthquake in April can still generate aftershocks stronger than Friday’s,” said Phivolcs science research assistant Mary Ann Montion.

She said communities concerned must prepare accordingly since there are several earthquake generators in Lanao del Sur. “People need not panic when earthquakes and aftershocks strike but must either duck, cover and hold or calmly exit buildings,” she said.

She also advised the public to either remain in open areas during earthquakes or head to these places after exiting buildings.

Montion said the aftershock this Friday is the April 2017 earthquake’s second strongest so far after its magnitude 5.4 aftershock on Sept. 24 this year.

Friday’s aftershock was reported at intensities V (Kadingilan, Bukidnon), IV (Pangantukan, Bukidnon), III (Maramag, Bukidnon) and II (Cagayan de Oro City), said Phivolcs. The aftershock was also reported at instrumental intensity II (Cagayan de Oro City).

Phivolcs already received initial reports about alleged damage from Friday’s aftershock and it is already looking into such reports, Montion said.