Tuesday, 11 April 2017 14:14: Primer On The April 2017 Series of Earthquakes in Batangas Province

PRIMER ON THE APRIL 2017 SERIES OF EARTHQUAKES IN BATANGAS
PROVINCE
Tuesday, 11 April 2017 14:14
11 April 2017
What is happening at Batangas Province?

A phenomenon called earthquake swarm is currently happening at Batangas. An
earthquake swarm is a burst of earthquake activity clustered in a specific area in a
short period of time due to movement of a fault. The Batangas swarm started on 4
April at 8:58 PM, and is still ongoing to date.
Large-magnitude earthquakes have also affected Batangas in the past!
At least six large earthquakes had affected Batangas province the Mindoro
earthquakes of November 15, 1994, April 9, 1942, and May 26, 1889, and the
earthquakes of April 26, 1972, October 1, 1869, and September 16, 1852 whose
epicenters were located in West Philippine Sea. The 1994 Magnitude 7.1 Mindoro
Earthquake was felt at intensity VII in the epicentral areas and may have shaken
Batangas at intensities of V to VI or even VII while the 1889 Magnitude 6.4
Earthquake was felt at Intensity VI-VII in Mindoro and Batangas. The 1852 Magnitude
7.6 and 1869 Magnitude 6.6 offshore events were reportedly felt at Intensity VII in
and around Batangas. Although there were no accounts of direct damage in Batangas
due to the 1994, 1972, and 1942 events, the 1852, 1869 and 1889 events damaged
several buildings and infrastructures in the area.
Why do earthquakes occur at Batangas?
Batangas is one of the seismically active areas in the Philippines. Instrumental
monitoring of earthquakes for the past century has detected many small to large-
magnitude earthquakes near Batangas generated by the Manila Trench and Lubang
Fault. The Manila Trench is an earthquake generator located offshore west of Luzon
Island, roughly parallel to the Philippine archipelago in the north but veers very close
to land at the southern tip of Occidental Mindoro. Another offshore earthquake
generator is Lubang Fault, located between Mindoro Island and Batangas, which is
also the locus of small to large-magnitude earthquakes. Other active faults on land
are present in Southern Luzon, such as the Valley Fault System and the Philippine
Fault. The current series of earthquakes in Batangas can be attributed to the
movement of an unnamed local fault in the vicinity of the Tingloy-Mabini area.
Can these present earthquakes indicate volcanic activity?
No. Although Taal Volcano is located approximately 30 kilometers from Mabini,
Batangas, the present network of instruments located in and around Taal Volcano
shows no indication of any significant change of monitoring parameters suggesting
renewed magmatic activity. However, as part of PHIVOLCS monitoring procedures for
moderately large earthquakes occurring near active volcanoes, the institute will closely
monitor this earthquake events in relation to any activity that may be monitored in
Taal Volcano.
Can these recent earthquake events trigger a destructive tsunami?
No. The magnitude is not big enough to generate a destructive tsunami.
Can human activity such as geothermal drilling, blasting, etc. trigger large
earthquakes along active faults?
No. Hypocenters of moderate- to large-magnitude earthquakes along active faults are
too deep to be influenced by any human activity.
What can we expect from the current earthquake activity?
Small to moderate magnitude earthquake events can still occur in the following days to
weeks.
What should we do?
The best course of action is preparedness the damaging effects of earthquakes can
be minimized if we prepare ourselves for the event. Because a large-magnitude
earthquake, either from active faults in Luzon or the Manila Trench may affect
Batangas as a whole, it is always prudent to prepare for such an eventuality.
What can we expect in the event of a large-magnitude/high-intensity
earthquake?
Strong ground shaking may cause extensive damage to, or even the collapse of
houses, buildings, bridges, and other infrastructures. Collapsed structures usually
account for most of the casualties during a strong earthquake. Falling objects may
also cause injuries.
Aside from strong ground shaking, what other seismic hazards are life
threatening?
Landslides, rock falls, and other types of mass movements may occur in mountainous
or hilly areas. Liquefaction manifested by sandboils or lateral spreading may affect
low-lying, waterlogged, sandy areas near the coast or at the banks of rivers.
What is the role of PHIVOLCS?
PHIVOLCS operates and maintains a network of 93 seismic stations spread across the
Philippines. Twelve of these seismic stations are located in or around Batangas. Four
of which are staffed-controlled located in Puerto Galera, Tagaytay, and Lucban and
Guinayangan in Quezon and seven are remote seismic stations located in Lubang and
San Jose in Mindoro, Busuanga and Cuyo in Palawan, Romblon, Marinduque and San
Andres in Quezon. Data from the seismic stations are used to determine the locations
of earthquakes, as well as the characteristics of the earthquakes generated. We also
have a volcano monitoring network in and around Taal that could record seismic
activity.
Aside from monitoring the occurrences of earthquakes, PHIVOLCS also conducts
hazards analyses and assessment, and makes this information available to the public.
PHIVOLCS works hand-in-hand with other government agencies in mitigating the
damaging effects of earthquakes.
Please visit our website at http://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph for earthquake bulletins,
volcano updates, and other information on earthquakes and volcanoes.
http://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7331:prim
er-on-the-april-2017-series-of-earthquakes-in-batangas-province&catid=60:latest-
news&Itemid=19
Batangas lists damage done by 5.5-magnitude quake; repairs start By: Maricar
Cinco, Marrah Erika Rabe - @inquirerdotnet Philippine Daily Inquirer / 12:22 AM April 06,
2017
BATANGAS CITYAs soon as the 5.5-magnitude earthquake struck about 9 p.m.

on Tuesday, thousands started fleeing their homes in the coastal villages of Batangas
province.
When the shaking of the ground stopped, several school buildings, local
establishments and churches, including a centuries-old basilica in Taal town, stood
damaged.
As of Wednesday, no earthquake-related casualty had been reported.
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Georgina Garcia, information officer of the regional Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Council in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) said
at least 4,000 people from the coastal town of Mabini evacuated to higher grounds for
fear of a tsunami.
In Lemery town, around 1,800 residents evacuated to a covered court in the next town
of Taal when aftershocks were felt, said Senior Insp. Carizza Matel, Taal police chief.
All evacuees were sent home at dawn on Wednesday, Garcia said.
The earthquake, with the epicenter in Tingloy town in Batangas, struck at 8:58 p.m.
on Tuesday and was followed by a series of aftershocks that continued until
Wednesday afternoon.
It was felt at lesser intensities in Southern Tagalog and as far as Metro Manila.
More than 500 aftershocks
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported recording
more than 500 aftershocks by Wednesday.
The strongest of the aftershocks was 4.9 magnitude, recorded at 12:49 a.m. on
Wednesday. It caused Intensity 3 shaking in Tagaytay City, Quezon City and Pasig
City.
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As public anxiety remained high after the temblor, Malacaang called on the people
on Wednesday to beware of and refrain from spreading fake earthquake news.
Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella also stressed the need for the public to
remain alert.
Classes suspended
We ask our people, especially the residents of the province of Batangas, to remain
vigilant and alert in light of last nights earthquake. Let us refrain from forwarding
news from unverified sources that may cause undue alarm and panic, Abella said.
Batangas Gov. Hermilando Mandanas ordered the cancellation of Wednesdays
afternoon classes in schools. Work in government offices in the province was also
suspended.
Laguna Gov. Ramil Hernandez announced on Tuesday night the suspension of classes
in all levels on Wednesday. He also asked school administrators and engineers to
initiate building inspections in their areas to assess earthquake-related damage.
The University of the Philippines Los Baos also announced on its Facebook page on
Tuesday night the suspension of classes on Wednesday to make way for building
inspections.
Garcia described the damage from the earthquake in the region as minor, but said
she received several reports starting on Tuesday night.
Damage was minor, like broken glass windows or fallen [debris], although there
were too many [reports], she said.
Hospitals, churches
In Batangas City, patients in four hospitals were taken to open grounds following the
quake, said city disaster risk reduction officer Rod de la Roca.
He said this happened at Jesus of Nazareth Hospital, St. Patrick Hospital, Golden Gate
Hospital and Batangas Medical Center, the biggest hospital in the city.
Patients on IVs and stretchers stayed outside the hospitals for four to five hours.
They said they felt better that way, De la Roca said in a phone interview.
In Taal town, a portion of the stone facade of the Saint Martin de Tours Basilica, also
called the Taal Basilica, was chipped off.
Mandanas said the province set aside P1 million for the repair of the church, which
was built in 1575 and was declared a National Historical Landmark.
The provincial government will also distribute 200 bags of cement to help in repair
work in Tingloy town.
An altar of the Immaculate Conception Church in Batangas City also showed cracks
but city engineers inspected the church and announced that it was safe for use, De la
Roca said.
He said people showed they were alert by the way they responded to the earthquake.
We are happy because we realized that all those training for earthquake drills and
protocols were taken seriously, he said. WITH REPORTS FROM LEILA B.
SALAVERRIA, JAYMEE T. GAMIL AND KIMMY BARAOIDAN
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/886866/quake-jolts-batangas-thousands-flee-homes
Batangas tremor losses reach P2B
By: Maricar Cinco - Correspondent / @maricarcincoINQ

Philippine Daily Inquirer / 02:20 AM April 13, 2017
The recent earthquake swarm in Batangas province left P2-billion worth of damage,
most of these on houses, churches, government buildings and business establishments,
an official of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council
(PDRRMC) said.
Lito Castro, PDRRMC head, said his agency would begin distributing construction
materials on Monday to help communities rebuild.
These include 8,500 bags of cement and thousands of plywood boards and iron sheets
bought using funds from the PDRRMC and local governments.
In Mabini town, Mayor Noel Luistro said the local government would forego the
celebration of the town fiesta as residents reeled from trauma caused by the recent
earthquakes.
The plaza was earlier adorned by colorful buntings for the April 25 feast in honor of
the towns patron, San Francisco de Paula.
Weve decided to scrap the festivities and instead offer Mass, Luistro said. In
times of calamities, we should remember our kababayan (townmates) who were
affected.
On April 8, Batangas was struck by a magnitude-6 earthquake that was felt at
Intensity VII in Mabini. The quake came four days after a 5.5-magnitude tremor hit
the province. These major earthquakes damaged several infrastructures and houses in
the province, particularly in Mabini, sowing fear and causing trauma on residents.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology had recorded more than
2,000 earthquakes in Batangas from April 4 to April 11.
But Luistro, on Wednesday, said things were starting to normalize in his town, with
people slowly returning to their homes.
The Mabini General Hospital resumed normal operation as repairs started, said local
doctor, Oliver Bautista.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/888852/batangas-tremor-losses-reach-p2b

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PRIMER ON THE APRIL 2017 SERIES OF EARTHQUAKES IN BATANGAS

What is happening at Batangas Province?

BATANGAS CITYAs soon as the 5.5-magnitude earthquake struck about 9 p.m.

Batangas tremor losses reach P2B

By: Maricar Cinco - Correspondent / @maricarcincoINQ

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