6.9 QUAKE SHOOK NEGROS ON FEB 6

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Posted at 02/06/2012 12:07 PM | Updated as of 02/06/2012 5:04 PM

MANILA, Philippines (9th UPDATE) – A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck between the islands of Negros and Cebu before noon Monday, killing at least 7 people and prompting government volcanologists to raise a tsunami alert.

Director Renato Solidum of the the Philippine Institute for Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the quake struck 5 kilometers northwest of Tayasan, Negros Oriental at 11: 49 a.m. The quake was tectonic in origin, he said.

The quake was followed by four aftershocks measuring between magnitudes 4.5 to 5.8. Phivolcs seismologist Ishmael Narag said the trend in their data suggests that the region is unlikely to experience another earthquake with a magnitude higher than 6.9.

Phivolcs raised tsunami alert level 2 in Negros and Cebu, warning residents in coastal areas to seek higher ground. The alert was lifted at 2:30 p.m.

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) chief Benito Ramos said 9-year-old Bernadette Raidan and another child from Tayasan, Negros Oriental were killed after a wall fell on them.

Another fatality was identified as Anna Fe Estrapella, a Grade 6 pupil from Jimalalud who was also crushed by a collapsed chapel wall.

The NDRRMC also reported 4 other fatalities in Gihulngan City. The circumstances of their deaths were not yet specified.

A report from June Perez of DYAB Cebu said the quake caused slight panic in Cebu City as residents started running to different establishments.

Ramos advised residents not to return to areas vulnerable to another aftershock.

“Kung pwede lang hindi muna pupunta sa mga bahay, dahil hindi natin alam kung kalian mag after shock. Dapat [pumunta sila] sa mga open spaces,” Ramos said. 

Intensity

Phivolcs said the following intensities were felt in the following areas:

• Intensity VII - Dumaguete City; Vallehermoso, Negros Oriental

• Intensity VI - La Carlota City and La Castellana, Negros Occidental; Argao, Cebu

• Intensity V - Roxas City; Dao and Ivisan, Capiz; Iloilo City; Ayungon, Negros Oriental; Kanlaon City; Lapu-lapu City; Guimaras; Cebu City; San Carlos City; Bacolod City; Sagay City; Tagbilaran City; Candoni, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental

• Intensity IV - San Jose de Buenavista, Pandan, Anini-y, Patnungon, Antique; Kalibo, Aklan; Dipolog City; Sipalay, Negros Occidental; Ormoc City

• Intensity III - Butuan City, Agusan del Norte; Legaspi City, Albay; Carmen, Cagayan de Oro; Tacloban City; Catbalogan; Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte; Masbate, Masbate; Cagayan de Oro City

• Intensity II - Cabid-an, Sorsogon; Borongan, Eastern Samar; Mambajao, Camiguin

• Intensity I - Pagadian City

The United States Geological Survey, meanwhile, initially measured the magnitude of the quake at 6.8. It later revised the magnitude at 6.7.

The USGS listed the following areas as the epicenter:

• 70 kms (44 miles) north from Dumaguete, Negros
• 79 kms (49 miles) west northwest from Tagbilaran, Bohol
• 80 kms (50 miles) south southeast from Bacolod, Negros
• 574 kms (356 miles) south southeast from Manila

The agency said the earthquake had a depth of 46.6 kms.

The USGS has also recorded at least 2 aftershocks from the strong quake.

The first recorded aftershock, which had a magnitude of 4.8, occurred 62 kms north of Dumaguete at 12:03 p.m.

The second aftershock, which had a magnitude of 5.6, was recorded at 12:20 p.m. 71 kms south southeast of Bacolod.

Bridges impassable, power outage

In Negros Oriental, Governor Roel Degamo said at least 2 bridges were rendered impassable because of the cracks they sustained. Several highways, churches, buildings and houses were also damaged.

“Badly damaged itong northern portion ng Negros Oriental galing sa municipality ng Manuyod up to municipality of Vallehermoso,” Degamo told dzMM.

Degamo added residents living in coastal areas have been advised to leave their homes.

A report from Yasmin Pascual Dormido on radio dzMM said several schools have suspended classes after a strong quake and several aftershocks hit the cities of Bacolod and Kabankalan.

The quake also knocked down power lines in Kabankalan, causing a blackout.

E. Samar quake

Phivolcs Deputy Director Bartolome Bautista said today's earthquake is not necessarily related with the recent quakes that occurred in Eastern Samar over the weekend.

Eastern Samar on Saturday experienced a 5.9 magnitude which was followed by 9 relatively strong ones until Sunday.

"Dahil sa dalas ng earthquake sa atin, mahirap nating i-confirm na related sila, puwdeng nagkataon lang," Bautista said in a press conference. With reports from dzMM

Source:

JAPAN QUAKE AND TSUNAMI: IMAGES OF THE AFTERMATH

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A combination photo made of still images from video footage March 14, 2011, shows the explosion at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power complex. A hydrogen explosion rocked a crippled nuclear power plant in Japan on Monday where authorities have been scrambling to avert a meltdown following Friday's massive earthquake and tsunami. REUTERS/NTV via  Reuters TV

Earthquake and tsunami damage is shown at the Fukushima-Daini Nuclear Power plant in this handout satellite image obtained March 13, 2011. According to news reports, this is the largest earthquake to hit Japan in recorded history. Analysts believe the powerful earthquake moved Japan's main island eight feet (2.4 meters), shifted the Earth on its axis four inches (10 centimeters), and unleashed a devastating tsunami. REUTERS/Digital Globe/Handout

Police officers wearing respirators guide people to evacuate away from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant following an evacuation order for residents who live in within a 10 km (6.3 miles) radius from the plant after an explosion in Tomioka Town in Fukushima Prefecture March 12, 2011. Japanese authorities battling to contain rising pressure in nuclear reactors damaged by a massive earthquake were forced to release radioactive steam from one plant on March 12, 2011 after evacuating tens of thousands of residents from the area. Tokyo Electric Power Co also said fuel may have been damaged by falling water levels at the Daiichi facility, one of its two nuclear power plants in Fukushima, some 240 km (150 miles) north of Tokyo. REUTERS/Asahi Shimbun

An official scans for signs of radiation on a woman in Nihonmatsu City in Fukushima Prefecture March 13, 2011 after radiation leaked from an earthquake-damaged Fukushima Daini nuclear reactor. Japan battled to contain a radiation leak at an earthquake-crippled nuclear plant on Sunday, but faced a fresh threat with the failure of the cooling system in a second reactor. REUTERS/Yomiuri Shimbun

A man looks out over an area swept by a tsunami following an earthquake in Sendai City, northeastern Japan March 12, 2011. Japan confronted devastation along its northeastern coast on Saturday, with fires raging and parts of some cities under water after a massive earthquake and tsunami that likely killed at least 1,000 people. REUTERS/Kyodo

A building swept under a bridge following a tsunami and earthquake is seen in Sendai, northeastern Japan March 12, 2011. Japan confronted devastation along its northeastern coast on Saturday, with fires raging and parts of some cities under water after a massive earthquake and tsunami that likely killed at least 1,000 people. REUTERS/Kyodo

A car is buried in mud and debris following an earthquake and tsunami in Sendai, northeastern Japan March 12, 2011. Japan confronted devastation along its northeastern coast on Saturday, with fires raging and parts of some cities under water after a massive earthquake and tsunami that likely killed at least 1,000 people. REUTERS/Kyodo

A large number of cars swept by a tsunami following an earthquake are seen in Sendai, northeastern Japan March 12, 2011. Japan confronted devastation along its northeastern coast on Saturday, with fires raging and parts of some cities under water after a massive earthquake and tsunami that likely killed at least 1,000 people. REUTERS/Kyodo

People make their way through a street clogged with debris in Sendai city, Miyagi prefecture March 12, 2011. Japan confronted devastation along its northeastern coast on Saturday, with fires raging and parts of some cities under water after a massive earthquake and tsunami that likely killed at least 1,000 people. REUTERS/Yomiuri

A factory facility burns following an earthquake and tsunami in Sendai, northeastern Japan March 12, 2011. Japan confronted devastation along its northeastern coast on Saturday, with fires raging and parts of some cities under water after a massive earthquake and tsunami that likely killed at least 1,000 people. REUTERS/Kyodo

Smoke rises from a burning factory following an earthquake and tsunami in Sendai, northeastern Japan March 12, 2011. Japan confronted devastation along its northeastern coast on Saturday, with fires raging and parts of some cities under water after a massive earthquake and tsunami that likely killed at least 1,000 people. REUTERS/Kyodo

Houses swept by a tsunami are seen as residents walk in Kesen Numa, Miyagi prefecture March 12, 2011. The biggest earthquake on record to hit Japan rocked its northeast coast on Friday, triggering a 10-metre tsunami that killed hundreds of people and swept away everything in its path. REUTERS/Kyodo

A factory facility burns following an earthquake and tsunami in Sendai, northeastern Japan March 12, 2011. Japan confronted devastation along its northeastern coast on Saturday, with fires raging and parts of some cities under water after a massive earthquake and tsunami that likely killed at least 1,000 people. REUTERS/Kyodo

Residential homes damaged by an earthquake and tsunami are seen in Sendai, northeastern Japan March 12, 2011. Japan confronted devastation along its northeastern coast on Saturday, with fires raging and parts of some cities under water after a massive earthquake and tsunami that likely killed at least 1,000 people. REUTERS/Kyodo

Dark black smoke rises from a town after an earthquake and tsunami in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan March 12, 2011. Japan confronted devastation along its northeastern coast on Saturday, with fires raging and parts of some cities under water after a massive earthquake and tsunami that likely killed at least 1,000 people. REUTERS/Kyodo

Cargo containers scattered by a tsunami following an earthquake are seen in Sendai, northeastern Japan March 12, 2011. Japan confronted devastation along its northeastern coast on Saturday, with fires raging and parts of some cities under water after a massive earthquake and tsunami that likely killed at least 1,000 people. REUTERS/Kyodo

A ship tossed ashore by a tsunami following an earthquake is seen in Aomori Prefecture, northern Japan March 12, 2011. Japan confronted devastation along its northeastern coast on Saturday, with fires raging and parts of some cities under water after a massive earthquake and tsunami that likely killed at least 1,000 people. REUTERS/Kyodo

Fire department staff watch smoke rise above a town struck by a tsunami following an earthquake in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan March 12, 2011. Japan confronted devastation along its northeastern coast on Saturday, with fires raging and parts of some cities under water after a massive earthquake and tsunami that likely killed at least 1,000  people. REUTERS/Kyodo

Smoke rises from houses damaged by an earthquake and tsunami in Sendai, northeastern Japan March 12, 2011. Japan confronted devastation along its northeastern coast on Saturday, with fires raging and parts of some cities under water after a massive earthquake and tsunami that likely killed at least 1,000 people. REUTERS/Jo Yong-Hak

Roads and villages damaged by an earthquake and tsunami are seen in Sendai, northeastern Japan March 12, 2011. Japan confronted devastation along its northeastern coast on Saturday, with fires raging and parts of some cities under water after a massive earthquake and tsunami that likely killed at least 1,000 people. Japan scaled back its tsunami warning for much of the country on Saturday, nearly 24 hours after a massive earthquake struck and set off a succession of tsunami, NHK television said. REUTERS/Jo Yong-Hak

A damaged train is seen after an earthquake and tsunami in Matsushima City, Miyagi Prefecture March 12, 2011. Japan confronted devastation along its northeastern coast on Saturday, with fires raging and parts of some cities under water after a massive earthquake and tsunami that likely killed at least 1,000 people. REUTERS/Yomiuri

Debris of houses and other structures float in the harbour near Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture in northeastern Japan March 12, 2011. Japan confronted devastation along its northeastern coast on Saturday, with fires raging and parts of some cities under water after a massive earthquake and tsunami that likely killed at least 1,000 people. REUTERS/Kyodo

Cars swept by a tsunami are seen after an earthquake in Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture March 12, 2011. Japan confronted devastation along its northeastern coast on Saturday, with fires raging and parts of some cities under water after a massive earthquake and tsunami that likely killed at least 1,000 people. REUTERS/Yomiuri

Smoke rises in the distance behind destroyed houses in Kesennuma City in Miyagi Prefecture in northeastern Japan March 12, 2011. Japan confronted devastation along its northeastern coast on Saturday, with fires raging and parts of some cities under water after a massive earthquake and tsunami that likely killed at least 1,000 people. REUTERS/Kyodo

Fire boats battle a blaze at the Cosmo Oil facility in Ichihara City, Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo March 12, 2011. Japan confronted devastation along its northeastern coast on Saturday, with fires raging and parts of some cities under water after a massive earthquake and tsunami that likely killed at least 1,000 people. REUTERS/Kyodo

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JAPAN: BEFORE AND AFTER THE QUAKE AND TSUNAMI

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01. Combination photo shows satellite images of Natori, Japan taken by the GeoEye-1 satellite on April 4, 2010 (L), and on March 12, 2011 after magnitude 8.9 earthquake and tsunami struck the region. REUTERS/GeoEye Satellite Image/Handout

02. A combination picture of satellite images taken by Taiwan's National Space Organisation (NSPO) shows Japan's Sendai area before the earthquake on March 11, 2011, (Left) and after the earthquake on March 12, 2011. (Right) REUTERS/Formosat image/Dr. Cheng-Chien Liu, GEODAC, National Cheng-Kung University and Dr. An-Ming Wu, National Space Organization, Taiwan/Handout

03. A combination photograph of NASA Terra satellite view of northeastern Japan, acquired February 26, 2011 by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) shows the Sendai region (top) before the magnitude 8.9 earthquake and tsunami struck the country on March 11, 2011 and the bottom image acquired March 12, 2011, reveals extensive flooding in the Sendai region following the earthquake and tsunami. REUTERS/NASA/MODIS Rapid Response Team/Handout

04. Combination photo shows satellite images of Sendai, Japan taken by the GeoEye-1 satellite on November 15, 2009 (L), and on March 12, 2011 after magnitude 8.9 earthquake and tsunami struck the region. REUTERS/GeoEye Satellite Image/Handout

05. Combination photo shows satellite images of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Japan taken by the GeoEye-1 satellite on November 15, 2009 (L), and on March 11, 2011 after magnitude 8.9 earthquake and tsunami struck the region. REUTERS/GeoEye Satellite Image/Handout

06. The shore of Japan is seen before (L) and after a tsunami hit the area in this combination photo of satellite images provided by the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR) made available March 13, 2011. The biggest earthquake to hit Japan on record struck the northeast coast on Friday, triggering a 10-metre tsunami that swept away everything in its path, including houses, ships, cars and farm buildings on fire. Pictures taken September 5, 2010 (L) and March 12, 2011. REUTERS/DLR/Rapid Eye/Handout

07. Japan's Sendai airport is seen before (L) and after a tsunami hit the area in this combination photo of satellite images taken by Taiwan's National Space Organisation (NSPO) and released to Reuters March 13, 2011. The biggest earthquake to hit Japan on record struck the northeast coast on Friday, triggering a 10-metre tsunami that swept away everything in its path, including houses, ships, cars and farm buildings on fire. Pictures taken March 11, 2011 (L) and March 13, 2011. REUTERS/Formosat image/Dr. Cheng-Chien Liu, GEODAC, National Cheng-Kung University and Dr. An-Ming Wu, National Space Organization, Taiwan/Handout

08. A combination picture of satellite images taken by Taiwan's National Space Organisation (NSPO) shows Japan's Sendai area before the earthquake on March 11, 2011, (Left) and after the earthquake on March 12, 2011. (Right) REUTERS/Formosat image/Dr. Cheng-Chien Liu, GEODAC, National Cheng-Kung University and Dr. An-Ming Wu, National Space Organization, Taiwan/Handout

09. A combination picture of satellite images taken by Taiwan's National Space Organisation (NSPO) shows Japan's Sendai area before the earthquake on March 11, 2011, (Left) and after the earthquake on March 12, 2011. (Right) REUTERS/Formosat image/Dr. Cheng-Chien Liu, GEODAC, National Cheng-Kung University and Dr. An-Ming Wu, National Space Organization, Taiwan/Handout

10. A combination picture of satellite images taken by Taiwan's National Space Organisation (NSPO) shows Japan's Sendai airport before the earthquake on March 11, 2011, (Left) and after the earthquake on March 12, 2011. (Right) REUTERS/Formosat image/Dr. Cheng-Chien Liu, GEODAC, National Cheng-Kung University and Dr. An-Ming Wu, National Space Organization, Taiwan/Handout

11. A combination picture of satellite images taken by Taiwan's National Space Organisation (NSPO) shows Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture in northeastern Japan before the earthquake on March 11, 2011, (left) and after the earthquake and the massive tsunami on March 13, 2011. REUTERS/Formosat image/Dr. Cheng-Chien Liu, GEODAC, National Cheng-Kung University and Dr. An-Ming Wu, National Space Organization, Taiwan/Handout

JAPAN QUAKE AND TSUNAMI: RAW FOOTAGES

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