The seismic activity observed in Camarines Sur could potentially signify a larger earthquake, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs). This after over a span of several days or since Saturday, August 19, nearly 50 tremors were recorded in the area, constituting what Phivolcs referred to as an “earthquake swarm.”
Teresito “Toto” Bacolcol, the director of Phivolcs, has indicated that this cluster of earthquakes might serve as an early indication of a more substantial seismic event on the horizon. The most powerful tremor during this period had a magnitude of 4.4, occurring on August 19.
Phivolcs defines an earthquake swarm as a brief sequence of minor to moderate earthquakes that lacks a discernible significant event or main shock. Bacolcol explained that the nature and duration of an earthquake swarm can vary. One possibility is a short-lived burst of earthquake activity spanning several days, similar to two previous instances of earthquake swarms in the same province: one on December 13, 1993, and another from October 14 to 16, 2021.
Bacolcol cautioned that an alternative scenario should not be dismissed: these earthquakes might serve as a precursor to a more powerful earthquake with a larger magnitude.
Throughout history, Camarines Sur and its surroundings have experienced at least seven notable earthquakes ranging from magnitudes 6.0 to 7.4. The most significant of these occurred on March 17, 1973, measuring a magnitude of 7.0, and caused substantial damage. Bacolcol highlighted that Camarines Sur is seismically active due to the presence of active faults, including the Legaspi Lineament, as well as offshore segments of the Philippine Fault in Ragay Gulf, contributing to the region’s heightened seismicity. (ai/mnm)
