|
Thursday, January 29, 2004
No signs of volcanism in Anini-y: Phivolcs
* The earthquakes are not indications of volcanic activity as there are no young or active volcanoes in the area, Phivolcs scientist Jane Punongbayan says
* Two possibilities, however, are expected -- either these swarms may remain a cluster of small magnitude earthquakes or foreshocks of a larger magnitude earthquake
SCIENTISTS from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) ruled out volcanic activity in Anini-y, Antique and in some parts of Panay Island despite the series of tremors recently felt in these areas.
These are not indications of volcanic activity as there are no young or active volcanoes in the area, Jane Punongbayan, Phivolcs senior science research specialist, said.
An earthquake swarm which started at 12:53 a.m. last Jan. 15 is still ongoing, she said during a press briefing Tuesday.
She was joined by geologist Ma. Lynn Melosantos during the briefing held in coordination with the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council.
Punongbayan said two possibilities are expected from these current quakes - either these swarms may remain a cluster of small magnitude earthquakes or foreshocks of a larger magnitude earthquake.
Precautionary measures, she said, are being made by the residents as well as local officials in Anini-y.
The residents have started to prepare for any eventualities local officials have also formulated a disaster preparedness plan.
"The best thing that we can do is adopt to nature. We should prepare for any eventuality that may occur so that the damaging effects can be minimized," the scientist said.
Seismic swarm
Punongbayan said what is taking place in Anini-y is a seismic swarm, a clustering of earthquake events in space and time.
She said, however, most of these earthquakes are generally small, less than Magnitude 5, but 12 of these have been felt with intensities between 2 to 5.
The quakes were felt with relatively strong intensities in the area even if they were generally small in magnitude because their hypocenters were shallow and located near the municipality.
Panay Island is a seismologically active area, Punongbayan said, as its southern part is located in a known active "collision zone" of tectonic plates as manifested by the Negros trench and some thrust faults in the island.
Past earthquake swarms and large-magnitude earthquakes occurred near this collision zone and faults.
(January 28, 2004 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[ return
to top ]
[ home
]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
|
