The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has warned the public about the possibility of a strong earthquake that will occur in the Philippines, as shared by PHIVOLCS Director Teresito Bacolcol through local media outlets.
“The Philippine Trench here in Samar is capable of generating [magnitude] 8.1 and when that happens, pwedeng mag generate ng tsunami as high as 10 meters. Dito naman sa Manila Trench, pwede siya mag generate ng [magnitude] 8.3 earthquake,” he said in a GMA news report.
Bacolcol added that there is a possibility of a tsunami coming in less than five minutes after the quake. Furthermore, he advises those who are living along the coast to recognize signs of “shake, drop, and roar” following a powerful earthquake.
He said that when there is strong shaking to the point where you cannot stand or move, followed by a sudden drop in sea level, and a roaring sound coming from the sea, then civilians must evacuate immediately to a higher place
“When there is strong shaking na halos hindi ka na makagalaw or di ka na makatayo, and there is sudden drop of sea level, and there is a roaring sound coming from the sea… Kung isa sa mga yan na observe mo, you have to evacuate immediately to a higher place, kung nasa coastal community ka,” he said.
DUCK, COVER, HOLD
Phivolcs reminds the public to practice the “duck, cover, and hold” position during quakes after magnitude 6.3 earthquake rocked NCR and other areas on Thursday morning. #EarthquakePH | via @jsmalasig
📷: PHIVOLCS/Facebook pic.twitter.com/kWH0xjrWOb
— Interaksyon (@interaksyon) June 15, 2023
According to PHIVOLCS, to be earthquake-ready one must be familiar with the duck/drop, cover, and hold position. True to its name, this method can be done in three easy steps:
- Drop/duck down to the floor
- Take cover under a sturdy table/desk
- Hold on until the shaking stops.
