Strong dangerous coastal earthquake near Guiuan, Samar, The Philippines – high chance on landslides
Last update: January 17, 2012 at 3:04 pm by By Armand Vervaeck
Earthquake overview : Strong coastal earthquake. Initial reports where mentioning a magnitude of 5.9, but PHIVOLCS, the Philippines seismological agency reports a far less dangerous M 5.0 at a depth of 42 km.
Landscape at the peninsula closest to the epicenter – Panoramio image by Ronnie Muring
– IMPORTANT Update 15:58
Phivolcs has also updated his earthquake data as follows : Magnitude 5.9 at a depth of only 25 km, completely the opposite from 1 hour ago
– Update 15:58
Phivolcs is expecting damage from this earthquake. ER estimates that the damage will be minor, if any, but as described by meteorologist Robert Speta in the video below, the chance on landslides in the current weather conditions is “very high”. The ground motion sets many earth masses gliding.
– Update 15:55
Phivolcs has reported the following intensities (more or less the same than USGS)
Intensity V– Salcedo, Borongan and Guiuan, Eastern Samar
Intensity IV– Tacloban, Palo and Tolosa, Leyte; Catbalogan, Samar; Dolores and San Policarpo, Eastern Samar
Intensity III– St. Bernard and Hinunangan, Southern Leyte; Catarman, Northern Samar
Intensity II– Naval, Biliran
Intensity I– Cebu City
The PHIVOLCS intensity is ranging from 1 to 10
V, the max. intensity reported by PHIVOLCS is described as : Strong – Generally felt by most people indoors and outdoors. Many sleeping people are awakened. Some are frightened, some run outdoors. Strong shaking and rocking felt throughout building. Hanging objects swing violently. Dining utensils clatter and clink; some are broken. Small, light and unstable objects may fall or overturn. Liquids spill from filled open containers. Standing vehicles rock noticeably. Shaking of leaves and twigs of trees are noticeable
– Update 15:47
USGS has decreased his magnitude data from 5.9 to 5.7. The depth has been updated from 50 km to 36 km. As the calculation of earthquake data is very difficult, it is normal that preliminary data are updated later on, however a such a big difference in between a local agency (Phivolcs) and USGS is rather seldom.
– for more information and updates, go to: http://earthquake-report.com/2012/01/17/strong-coastal-earthquake-near-guiuan-samar-the-philippines/.