1 killed, scores hurt in Surigao aftershock

MANILA, Philippines -  A series of strong aftershocks from last month’s devastating magnitude-6.7 quake rocked Surigao del Norte and nearby Leyte province yesterday, leaving one person dead and scores injured, according to state seismologists. 

The strongest aftershock, with a magnitude of 5.9, struck 13 kilometers southwest of Surigao City at 8:08 a.m., the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

The temblor was felt at Intensity 6 in Surigao City; Intensity 4 in Limasawa and San Ricardo, Southern Leyte; Intensity 3 in San Juan and San Francisco, Southern Leyte; and Intensity 2 in General Luna, Surigao del Norte and Ormoc City. 

Phivolcs’ instruments recorded yesterday’s tremor at Intensity 7 in Surigao City. 

Phivolcs also said it was expecting damage from the magnitude-5.9 quake. 

The two other aftershocks yesterday, meanwhile, registered magnitudes of 2.6 and 3 and were recorded at Intensity 4 and 3 in Surigao City, respectively.

A magnitude-6.7 quake struck Surigao del Norte on Feb. 10, killing eight persons. 

Magnitude refers to the measure of energy of an earthquake specified on the Richter scale.

Intensity, on the other hand, pertains to the measure of the severity of shaking and its attendant damage on the surface of the earth.

 The Philippines sits along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” an area prone to earthquakes and volcanic activities.