Earthquake tremors were felt on the east coast of Mindanao Island in the Philippines on Saturday. The magnitude of the earthquake was 6.7 on the Richter scale. The German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ) said that the epicenter of the earthquake was at a depth of 10 km (6.21 miles) from the ground. According to the US Geological Survey, the magnitude of the earthquake was 6.8. The US National Tsunami Warning Center said that there is no danger of tsunami from the earthquake.
The Philippine Seismological Agency PHIVOLCS said that there is no possibility of damage from this earthquake, but it has warned of aftershocks. The Philippines is in the “Fire Ring” of the Pacific Ocean, where volcanic activity and earthquakes are common.
Fear of a big earthquake in the Philippines
Earthquakes have always occurred in the Philippines, but people there fear a big earthquake, which will kill a large number of people and destroy the country. Stories of big earthquakes have been going on here for many generations. Unlike Japan, there are no houses in the Philippines which are not affected by earthquakes or are affected very little. Despite this, people here have become accustomed to the occurrence of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. This is why there was no damage despite the magnitude being more than 6 on the Richter scale. Countries like India where the risk of earthquakes is relatively less. Here an earthquake of magnitude 6 can cause a lot of destruction.
Why do earthquakes occur?
In recent times, an increase in the incidence of earthquakes is being seen in many areas of the country and the world. Actually, there are 7 tectonic plates inside our earth. These plates keep rotating in their place continuously. However, sometimes there is a collision or friction between them. This is the reason why earthquakes are seen on the earth.
Every year there are about 20 thousand earthquakes in the world
Every year there are about 20 thousand earthquakes in the world, but their intensity is not so high that people suffer heavy losses. The National Earthquake Information Center records these earthquakes. According to information, out of 20,000 earthquakes, only 100 are such that cause damage. The longest lasting earthquake in history so far came in the Indian Ocean in 2004. This earthquake was felt for 10 minutes.
How can one estimate the intensity of an earthquake on the Richter scale?
0 to 1.9 Information is obtained from the seismograph
2 to 2.9 Very little vibration is detected
3 to 3.9 It will feel as if a heavy vehicle has passed by
4 to 4.9 Items kept in the house can fall down from their place
5 to 5.9 Heavy items and furniture can also move
6 to 6.9 The base of the building can crack
7 to 7.9 Buildings collapse
8 to 8.9 Threat of tsunami, more destruction
9 or more is the most severe destruction, the vibration of the earth will be clearly felt
