MAGNITUDE 6.6 NA LINDOL: YUMANIG KANINA SA DAVAO OCCIDENTAL | SARANGGANI

Quake hits Davao Occidental province

by Mike Crismundo 

UPDATED: BUTUAN CITY – A 4.8-magnitude earthquake hit Davao Occidental province in Southern Mindanao region early Tuesday morning, Jan. 24, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

In its bulletin, Phivolcs said the earthquake was recorded at 9:10 a.m.

The epicenter was plotted 327 kilometers southeast of Balut Island in the Municipality of Sarangani, Davao Occidental province, the state agency said. 

The tremor had a depth of 28 kms, Phivolcs said.

This one was also an aftershock of the January 18 2023 M 7.0 offshore Davao Occidental earthquake event.

It was the third aftershock recorded for the day in the province.

Around 1:06 a.m. on the same day, Jan. 24, a 4.6-magnitude tectonic earthquake was also registered and its epicenter was traced 299 kms. southeast of the same island and province, with a shallow depth of only 2 kms., the state agency also said.

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A little over an hour later, at 2:17 a.m. to be exact, on the same day, Jan. 24, a 5.2-magnitude earthquake was also felt in the region and its epicenter was traced 264 kms southeast of the same island and province, with a depth of 76 kms., the state agency said.

The three tremors were tectonic in origin, hence the state agency is expecting no aftershocks.

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Southern Mindanao region and Davao Occidental Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) there reported no damage or injury.

 

5.1-magnitude quake hits Surigao del Sur province

Published January 3, 2023, 10:41 AM

by Mike Crismundo

BUTUAN CITY — A 5.1-magnitude earthquake struck Surigao del Sur in Northeastern Mindanao (The Caraga Region) on Tuesday morning, Jan. 3, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

In its bulletin, Phivolcs said the tremor was recorded at 6:09 a.m.

The epicenter was plotted 82 kilometers northeast of Hinatuan town, Surigao del Sur province.

The tremor had a shallow depth of only one km, Phivolcs said.

Intensity III was felt at the town proper of Hinatuan and nearby Lingig town of this same province while in its instrumental Intensities, Phivolcs said that intensity one was also registered in southernmost city of Bislig, also of Surigao Del Sur province.

The earthquake was tectonic in origin and the state agency is expecting aftershocks.

As of this writing, no damage nor casualty was reported, the Surigao del Sur Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) there said.

Surigao del Sur Gov. Alexander T. Pimentel already mobilized its rescue team and personnel of PDRRMC to look into the situation of residents in Hinatuan town, neighboring towns, and especially those living along the coastal areas.

4.5-magnitude quake hits Bukidnon province

Published December 6, 2022, 10:29 AM

by Mike Crismundo

BUTUAN CITY — A 4.5-magnitude earthquake hit the agricultural-rich province of Bukidnon in Northern Mindanao region on Tuesday morning, Dec. 6, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

In its bulletin, Phivolcs said the earthquake was recorded at 7:54 a.m. The epicenter was plotted four kilometers away from northwest of Kalilangan town in Bukidnon, the state agency said.

The tremor had a shallow depth of only one km, Phivolcs said. In its instrumental intensities, the state agency said that intensity IV was recorded at the town proper of Kalilangan, intensity II at nearby Talakag town, and intensity I in the region’s capital city of Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental and Malaybalay City. 

Earlier on the same day, a 4.4-magnitude tectonic earthquake also hit in the nearby town of Pangantucan, also of Bukidnon.

The two tremors were tectonic in origin.

The Bukidnon Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) reported no damage or injury.

No ‘destructive’ tsunami threat to PH after 7.2-magnitude quake hit Taiwan — Phivolcs

by Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz, Manila Bulletin

There is no tsunami threat to the Philippines following the 7.2-magnitude earthquake in Taiwan on Sunday afternoon, Sept. 18, said the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

Phivolcs said the earthquake struck at around 2:44 p.m. The quake occurred at a shallow of 10 kilometers (km).

Although hazardous tsunami waves are possible along coasts within 300 km of the earthquake epicenter, Phivolcs said that there is no destructive tsunami threat to the Philippines from this earthquake.

It defines a tsunami as a series of sea waves commonly generated by under-the-sea earthquakes and whose heights could be greater than 5 meters.

Tsunami is erroneously called tidal waves and sometimes mistakenly associated with storm surges, it added.

Magnitude 5.0 quake hits Surigao del Norte

by Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz, Manila Bulletin

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has recorded a 5.0-magnitude earthquake in Surigao del Norte on Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 17.

It was initially measured as a magnitude 5.1 quake but Phivolcs later revised it to magnitude 5.0.

Phivolcs said the quake struck 5 kilometers (km) northwest of the municipality of Socorro in Surigao del Norte province at around 5:35 p.m.

It was felt at Intensity II (slightly felt) in Carrascal and Tandag City in Surigao del Sur.

Phivolcs’ instruments also recorded the earthquake at Intensity I in Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte and Surigao City, Surigao Del Norte.

It noted that the earthquake was tectonic, which means it was caused by the movement of an active fault near the area.

However, Phivolcs does not expect damage or aftershocks because of this earthquake.

Massive quake relief effort begins

 Marcos in Abra This handout photo taken and received on Thursday, July 28, 2022 courtesy of Irelee Beralde shows President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (front row) visiting hospital patients evacuated to the grounds of the provincial hospital in Bangued town, Abra. AFP PHOTO

By Kristina Maralit , William B. Depasupil, Francis Earl Cueto and Arlie O. Calalo

THE government has mounted full-blown relief efforts in areas in Northern Luzon that were jolted by a 7.3-magnitude earthquake last Wednesday.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Thursday flew to Abra, which was the worst hit by the earthquake, to inspect and assess the resulting damage. He was joined by Secretaries Benjamin "Benhur" Abalos Jr. of Interior and Local Government, Erwin Tulfo of Social Welfare and Development, Jose Faustino Jr. of National Defense, and Anton Lagdameo, special assistant to the President.

At a situation briefing in the town of Bangued, Marcos ordered national government agencies to work closely with local governments "so that we can make sure na walang nangangailangan na hindi natin nabigyan ng tulong (that anyone needing our help will not be denied).

"We will just have to do as much as we can, as quickly as possible," he said.

With power in the entire province restored and communication lines and internet service steadily stabilizing, the President said the next step is to ensure all affected residents have enough food and potable water.

He said he will order the procurement of potable water purifying systems so that the use of plastic bottles for collecting water is minimized.

Marcos instructed the Department of National Defense and the military to deploy all available air assets to help the Department of Social Welfare and Development's field offices in Region 1 in distributing food and relief packs to residents in mountainous areas.

He also directed local agencies to provide tarpaulins and other construction materials to build temporary shelters for people who cannot yet return to their quake-damaged homes.

"We've covered as much as we can. We will continue to monitor, especially in the areas na wala pa tayong balita (where we haven't received news yet)," Marcos said.

13 national roads in quake-hit areas reopened to motorists –DPWH

Faustino said close to 5,000 families in Abra, Ilocos and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) were affected by the earthquake.

He said 2,312 families in Ilocos and CAR alone are staying in 31 evacuation centers.

Office of Civil Defense Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro 4th who was also at the briefing in Bangued, said the death toll remained at five while the number of injured had risen to 131.

Alejandro said the damage to infrastructure in Ilocos alone has reached P33.8 million.

Landslides close roads

The figure will rise once reports of damage to agriculture and other assets come in, he said.

At least 13 national road sections in the CAR blocked by rocks and debris loosened during the earthquake have been cleared and reopened, Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan said on Thursday.

Eight other roads were still being cleared.

More aftershocks recorded as Magnitude 5.1 quake rattles Isabela.

He put the initial damage to national roads at P59.23 million.

Already passable to vehicles are the Abra-Kalinga Road, the Abra-Ilocos Norte Road and Abra-Cervantes Road, all in Abra.

In Benguet, reopened were the Asin Road, Marcos Highway, Benguet-Nueva Vizcaya Road, Baguio-Bauang Road and Congressman Andres Acop Cosalan Road.

In Kalinga, reopened were the Mountain Province-Calanan-Pinukpuk-Abbut Road and the Kalinga-Abra Road.

In Mountain Province, already cleared were the Mountain Province-Cagayan via Tabuk-Enrile Road and the Mountain Province-Ilocos Sur Road, and the Santa Rancho Road (Calungbuyan Bridge) in Ilocos Sur.

Also on Thursday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) logged more than 800 aftershocks from the earthquake.

More aftershocks are expected in the coming two to three days, with magnitudes ranging from 1.5 to 5.0, Phivolcs said.

A 5.0-magnitude tremor was recorded at 4:02 a.m., Thursday, about 12 kilometers southwest of the town of Tayum, Abra, near where the earthquake struck.

Intensity 4 was felt in Bangued, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur; Intensity 3 in Sinait, Ilocos Sur and Tabuk, Kalinga; Intensity 2 in Gonzaga, Penablanca, Cagayan, and Laoag City, Ilocos Norte; and Intensity 1 in Baguio City and Claveria, Cagayan.

Landslides close roads

By William B. Depasupil

LEVELLED TO THE GROUND The 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Abra on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 leveled homes and buildings and rendered roads impassable in nearby Benguet as shown in these photos. PHOTOS COURTESY OF BENGUET REP. ERIC YAP

(UPDATE) LANDSLIDES caused by the powerful quake that hit many areas in Luzon rendered 14 national roads in the province of Abra and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) impassable, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said.

A number of bridges connecting Abra to nearby provinces were also damaged.

"Our teams of engineers are conducting an assessment to evaluate the structural integrity and damage caused by the earthquake as we simultaneously clear debris along national roads and bridges," DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan said.

Bonoan ordered DPWH regional and district engineering offices in Luzon to immediately inspect public infrastructure for any damage.

The DPWH has sent road maintenance crews and equipment for debris clearing operations to affected areas.

The DPWH said among those closed to vehicular traffic were Kalinga Road, Abra-Ilocos Norte Road, Calaba Bridge and Abra-Cervantes Road.

Other roads in CAR closed to traffic were Kennon Road; Benguet-Nueva Vizcaya Road, Bobok Bisal, Bokod due to soil collapse, Poblacion, Bokod; Baguio-Itogon Road, Itogon Bridge; and Congressman Andres Acop Cosalan Road and Gov. Bado Dangwa National Road.

Also impassable were Kalinga-Abra Road in Ableg, Pail, Kalinga, and K0497+000 onward Abra, Pantikian to Balblasang, Balbalan and Lubuagan-Batong Buhay Road in Upper Kalinga; Banaue-Hungduan-Benguet Boundary Road, K0389+700, Wangwang, Tinoc in Ifugao; and various sections of Baguio-Bontoc Road, Mountain Province-Cagayan via Tabuk-Enrile Road, Mountain Province-Ilocos Sur Road via Kayan Mountain Province-Ilocos Sur Road via Tue, all in Mountain Province.

Seven road sections have limited access in CAR and Region 1 — Asin Road, K0305+820, Asin, Baguio City; Palispis Marcos Highway, K0273+780, Poblacion, Tuba, Benguet; Baguio-Bontoc Road, Balili Bridge, Benguet; Benguet-Nueva Vizcaya K0254+300, Sitio Lamut, Beckel, La Trinidad, Benguet; Congressman Andres Acop Cosalan Road K0318+800, Sitio Bugao, Barangay Adaoay, Kabayan, Benguet; Baguio-Bauang Road, K0296+600 LS, Tadiangan, Tuba, Benguet; and Calungbuyan Bridge, Santa Rancho, Santa, Ilocos Sur.

All DPWH offices in the CAR were on alert, monitoring roads, bridges and related infrastructure for damage as aftershocks threaten the region.

Magnitude 5.2 quake strikes offshore of Davao Oriental — Phivolcs

by Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz, Manila Bulletin

A 5.2-magnitude earthquake offshore of Davao Oriental occurred at around 4:37 a.m., Wednesday, June 8, said the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

Phivolcs traced the epicenter of the earthquake at 103 kilometers (km) southeast of Tarragona, Davao Oriental, and was shallow at a depth of 62 km.

It was initially measured as a magnitude 5.1 quake but Phivolcs later revised it to magnitude 5.2.

The tremor was “moderately strong” at Intensity IV in Tarragona and Caraga, Davao Oriental.

Meanwhile, it was felt as a “weak” tremor at Intensity III in Manay, Davao Occidental.

Phivolcs’ instruments also recorded the quake at Intensity II in Malungon, Sarangani and Intensity I in Tupi, South Cotabato and Nabunturan, Davao de Oro.

It said the earthquake was tectonic, which means it was caused by the movement of an active fault near the area.

Phivolcs advised the public to stay vigilant as aftershocks may occur due to this earthquake.

Magnitude 5.6 quake shakes Surigao del Sur -- Phivolcs

By Arlie O. Calalo, Manila Times

A magnitude 5.6 earthquake hit Surigao del Sur early Friday morning, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

Tectonic in origin, the tremor took place around 2:54 a. m. some 31 kilometers northeast of the town of Cagwait, also in the same province, Phivolcs said in its 5 a. m. advisory.

Phivolcs chief Renato Solidum Jr. said that Intensity 4 was felt over Cagwait, Bayabas and San Agustin, Surigao del Sur while Intensity 3 over Bislig City, Surigao del Sur; and Rosario, Agusan del Sur.

He said Instrumental Intensity 3 was recorded in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur; and Nabunturan, Davao de Oro while Intensity 2 over Bislig City, Surigao del Sur; and Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte.

Intensity 1 was recorded in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental; Malaybalay City, Bukidnon; Surigao City; Abuyog, Leyte; and Malungon, Sarangani, Phivolcs said.

Solidum said both damage to infrastructure and aftershocks are possible from the latest quake.

Magnitude 6.2 quake hits Davao Oriental — Phivolcs

by Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz, Manila Bulletin

A 6.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded off the coast of Davao Oriental at around 9:23 a.m., Tuesday, April 19, said the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

Phivolcs traced the epicenter of the earthquake at 57 kilometers (km) southeast of Manay, Davao Oriental and was shallow at a depth of 18 km.

It was initially measured at magnitude 5.9, but Phivolcs later revised it to magnitude 6.2.

The quake was felt as a “moderately strong” tremor at Intensity IV in Manay, Tarragona, and Lupon, Davao Oriental; Hinatuan, Surigao Del Sur; Mati City; and Bislig City.

Meanwhile, it was “weak” at Intensity III in Don Marcelino, Davao Occidental; Cateel and Baganga, Davao Oriental; Tandag City, Surigao Del Sur; and Davao City.

It was “slightly felt” at Intensity II in Bansalan, Davao del Sur, while it was “scarcely perceptible” at Intensity I in Matalam, Cotabato.

Phivolcs said the earthquake was tectonic, which means it was caused by the movement of an active fault near the area.

It said damage and aftershocks are expected due to this earthquake.

Compostela Valley helps quake-hit areas...

... of North Cotabato and Davao Del Sur

Compostela Valley Province--- It is now time for the people of Compostela Valley to help and show their support, this time in the earthquake-stricken areas of North Cotabato and Davao del Sur.  Gov. Tyron Uy,  himself, visited the affected areas on November 3 and met with the local officials there. 

Employees from the different departments of the Provincial Capitol of Comval Province extended their services in preparing for the relief operations. Among the distributed goods were packed meals, boxes of mineral water and rolls of tent that would be of great help for the affected residents.

“We will device a mission nga makatabang ta didto in one way or another, being a Dabawenyo and also as our brothers and sisters of Mindanao.” said Governor Uy. “Kita mismo naka experience ug calamity ug very thankful pod ta kay ang mga ubang taga laing probinsya nitabang pod sa atua ug maoy  nagsagop sa atua sa pila ka weeks nga lisod ug pait gyud ang supplies sa pagkaon, tubig ug uban pa.” he added.

The Province of Compostela Valley experienced the wrath of Typhoon Pablo way back in the 2012 bringing the whole province into its darkest days. Neighboring provinces and cities of Comval helped the Comvaleños to rise up in all possible ways they could offer.

Now is the time for Comval to return the favor and help its Mindanaoan brothers and sisters to rise and recover. (Jasteen P. Abella, ID COMVAL)

 Photocaption relief 1 & 2- Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy together with other government officials and government employees in Comval Province gave relief operations to the quake-hit areas of North Cotabato and Davao del Sur. Comval helps Mindanaoan brothers and sisters to rise and recover.

Frantic hunt for survivors after deadly Philippine quake

Agence France-Presse

PORAC, Pampanga - Philippine rescuers were scrambling Tuesday to reach dozens of people feared buried under a building near Manila that collapsed a day earlier in a powerful earthquake, as the death toll climbed to 11.

The 6.1 magnitude quake struck northwest of the capital on Monday, scientists from the US Geological Survey said, heavily damaging an airport and sending terrified locals fleeing swaying high-rises.

The worst of the damage was in the province of Pampanga, which was the site of most of the 11 fatalities, disaster officials said. Dozens of others were injured by falling rubble, including in Manila. 

The toll could rise as crews fanned out across the region to assess damage in isolated hamlets that lost power and communications in one of the area's strongest tremors in years.

Over 400 aftershocks have been registered since the initial quake, with some as strong as 3.4 magnitude, Philippine seismologists said. 

• Over 400 aftershocks recorded after Luzon quake

Scores of rescuers in the town of Porac were wielding cranes and jackhammers to peel back the pancaked concrete structure of a four-story market building where up to 30 people were unaccounted for. 

"They (rescuers) still hear at least one person who is still alive," Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda told journalists. "This person is buried under concrete slabs."

The quake also damaged several centuries-old churches which were crowded with worshippers in recent days as the majority-Catholic Philippines marked the Easter holiday.

'REALLY SWAYING'

Father Roland Moraleja, who is based in Porac, said the 18th century belfry of Saint Catherine of Alexandria church collapsed in the quake. 

"It was the only part left from the old church," he told AFP. "The historical value is now gone, but we are hopeful that it will rise again."

High-rise buildings in the capital swayed after the tremor struck Monday evening, leaving some with large cracks in their walls.

Thousands of travelers were stranded after aviation authorities shut down the secondary Clark Airport, which is located on the site of the former US military installation that lies about an hour's drive north of the capital.

It was still closed on Tuesday as officials assessed the heavy damage to the terminal building and some cracking on the air traffic control tower. 

The quake was centered on the town of Castillejos, about 100 kilometers (62 miles) northwest of Manila, local geologists said.

Dani Justo, a martial arts instructor, told AFP she was at her southern Manila home when the quake struck.

"The clothes hanging on our line were really swaying. My shih tzu (dog) dropped flat on the ground," she added.

The Philippines is part of the Pacific "Ring of Fire", an arc of intense seismic activity that stretches from quake-prone Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin.

Houses and Mosques damaged by Magnitude 6 Quake in Lanao del Sur

Houses, mosques damaged by magnitude 6 quake in Lanao del Sur

 (philstar.com) | Updated April 12, 2017 - 8:31am

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The magnitude 6 quake hit 14 km N 36° W of the town of Wao in Lanao Del Sur. Phivolcs

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATE 1 1:22 p.m.) — A strong magnitude 6 earthquake hit a Lanao del Sur town early Wednesday morning, damaging dozens of houses and sending people fleeing into the streets for safety, authorities said.

There were no immediate reports of serious casualties but electricity was cut and water pipes ruptured in Lanao del Sur. The provincial government said that four villages were affected with 30 houses damaged. The national road in Barangay Panang also had a crack four inches wide with a depth of one foot. Two mosques were also damaged in the same village. 

Disaster officials said residents jumped out of bed and ran onto the road to avoid falling objects. The earthquake occurred at 5:21 a.m. 14 kilometers north the town of Wao. 

"Residents are really shocked with regard to the calamity that happened. So they are on standby (at) the highway," the town's disaster official Francis Garcia said over ABS-CBN television. He said patients were also evacuated outside a district hospital as a precaution.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the quake was felt in 16 other cities and towns in Mindanao including the major urban centers of Davao and Cagayan de Oro.

The highest reported intensity of the quake was at 7, which Phivolcs categorized as destructive. Big church bells may ring at this intensity while heavy furniture overturn. Old structures could also suffer considerable damage. Intensity 7 was reported at Wao, Lanao del Sur and Kalilangan, Bukidnon.

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Meanwhile, Intensity 4 or a moderately strong quake was felt in Cagayan de Oro City; Cotabato City; Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental; Matalam, North Cotabato; and Davao City. At this intensity, the vibration felt is comparable to a passing of a heavy truck.

Other reported intensities were:

• Intensity III: Kabacan, North Cotabato; Maramag, Quezon, Don Carlos, Bukidnon; and Lebak, Sultan Kudarat
• Intensity II: Kidapawan City and Koronadal City
• Intensity I: Camiguin, Misamis Oriental

Phivolcs said that damage is expected from the jolt.

The tremor came days after a trio of strong earthquakes damaged buildings and caused panicked tourists to flee Mabini, a resort town south of Manila famous for its marine life and coral reefs.

"Since the (Mabini) quake, our people became more aware to duck, (take) cover and hold," Kristofferson Vidad, science research assistant at the seismology agency, told AFP, referring to its standard advice on surviving quakes. 

The Philippines lies on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" where tectonic plates collide, causing frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity.

A 6.5-magnitude quake killed eight people and left more than 250 injured outside the southern city of Surigao in February, and another 5.9-magnitude tremor killed one person there last month.

Before the Surigao quakes, the last lethal earthquake to hit the country was a 7.1-magnitude tremor that left more than 220 people dead and destroyed historic churches when it struck the central islands in October 2013.

As of 1:30 p.m., 13 aftershocks were recorded in Lanao del Sur with the strongest one, at magnitude 4.4, occurring at 1:01 p.m. — with a report from Agence France-Presse

Strong Quake Damages Some Buildings in Surigao

LOOK: Strong quake damages some buildings in Surigao

ABS-CBN News

Posted at Feb 11 2017 08:53 AM | Updated as of Feb 11 2017 11:19 AM

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Some buildings in Surigao City were damaged by the powerful earthquake that struck late Friday night.

One of the buildings that sustained heavy damage was the Surigao State College of Technology.

Metal beams, shattered glass, door frames, wires and boulders blocked the entrance to the college.

Debris also fell on top of an AUV parked outside the building.

Some portion of a mall in Surigao City also sustained damage to its walls and ceilings while cracks were seen in one of the bridges in the city.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the magnitude 6.7 quake hit at a depth of 4 kilometers at around 10:03 p.m.

The tremor was tectonic in origin. With a report from Richmond Hinayon, ABS-CBN News

The Ring of Fire

SCIENCE

Ring of Fire: Five facts about the most earthquake prone region in the world

By: Zulfikar Abbany

The Pacific Ring of Fire is aptly named. It's a string of volcanoes in the Pacific Ocean, and the region is prone to earthquakes. In fact, most earthquakes strike within the ring. Here's five facts.

How big is the Pacific Ring of Fire?

The Ring of Fire dominates the Pacific Ocean. It's a string of at least 450 active and dormant volcanoes that form a semi-circle, or horse shoe, around the Philippine Sea plate, the Pacific Plate, Juan de Fuca and Cocos plates, and the Nazca Plate. There is a lot of seismic activity in the area.

About 90 percent of all earthquakes strike within the Ring of Fire. This means people's lives are under almost constant threat in Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and other island nations like the Solomon Islands, Fiji, and many more in Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia, all the way east to the western seaboard of the North and South Americas. Although levels of threat differ depending on local factors like your proximity to the quake's epicenter, whether it's out to sea or on land - and standards of housing.

Why so many volcanoes in the Ring of Fire?

The tectonic plates move non-stop over a layer of partly solid and partly molten rock. This is called the Earth's mantle. When the plates collide or move apart, for instance, the Earth moves, literally. Mountains, like the Andes in South America and the Rockies in North America, as well as volcanoes have formed through the collision of tectonic plates.

Many volcanoes in the Ring of Fire were created through a process of subduction. And most of the planet's subduction zones happen to be located in the Ring of Fire. 

What is subduction?

Subduction happens when tectonic plates shift, and one plate is shoved under another. This movement of the ocean floor produces a "mineral transmutation," which leads to the melting and solidification of magma - that is, the formation of volcanoes. Basically, when a "downgoing" oceanic plate is shoved into a hotter mantle plate, it heats up, volatile elements mix, and this produces the magma. The magma then rises up through the overlying plate and spurts out at the surface.

If, however, the overlying plate is ocean, it can produce a chain of volcanic islands like the Marianas. This is also where we see the Earth's deepest trenches and deepest Earthquakes.

When and where were the worst earthquakes in the Ring of Fire?

The worst earthquake in the Ring of Fire - and, with it, the world - struck Chile on May 22, 1960. It was a 9.5-magnitude quake. That's according to the US Geological Survey's list of the "Largest Earthquakes in the World Since 1900."

It's closely followed by the Great Alaska Earthquake of 1964 (magnitude 9.2), the Northern Sumatra earthquake - also known as the Indian Ocean Tsunami - on December 26, 2004 (magnitude 9.1), and one off the East Coast of Honshu, Japan, on March 11, 2011 (magnitude 9.0), which led to a tsunami and ultimately the nuclear disaster at Fukushima.

Most of the earthquakes on the list are strictly within the Ring of Fire, and they range from magnitude 9.5 to 8.5.

Given all this activity, can't we predict earthquakes in the Ring of Fire?

No. Most experts will tell you it's (so far) been impossible to predict earthquakes. Even if two happen within the ring in close succession, it is hard to say the one had anything to do with the other. One earthquake will not necessarily cause another.

Some seismologists are cautiously open to the idea that whatever we do as humans - whether it's testing nuclear explosives or deep-sea drilling - all has a potential impact. But there's little or no hard, scientific proof.

As for the Ring of Fire specifically, the region is under constant tension. When a quake strikes, that tension is temporarily relieved, but it soon starts to build again. So all that is left for the people who live around the Ring of Fire is to be aware of the danger, perhaps to live further inland, build safer, earthquake resistant housing, and for nations everywhere to improve oceanic and land-based early-warning systems to help minimise the risk to life.

No Filipino Casualties in New Zealand 7.8 Quake

No Filipino casualties in New Zealand quake —Malacañang

Published November 14, 2016 7:37am

Malacañang on Sunday night said it has not received any Filipino casualty in the powerful earthquake in New Zealand that killed two persons.

"The Philippine embassy in Wellington continues to monitor closely the situation. We shall update the public, through the DFA, as reports become available," Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said in a statement.

A tsunami warning was issued after a magnitude-7.8 earthquake struck northeast of Christchurch in the South Island on Sunday.

Aside from the two fatalities, there were also reports of injuries and collapsed buildings in the affected areas.

Prime Minister John Key said the earthquake was the "most significant shock" he could remember in Wellington. —ALG, GMA News

Magnitude 6.3 Quake Shakes Mindanao

Magnitude 6.3 quake shakes Philippines' Mindanao island

A strong earthquake of magnitude 6.3 struck off the Philippine's Mindanao island on Saturday, sending hotel guests and construction workers running from buildings in Davao, but there were no immediate reports of damage.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake, initially reported as a magnitude 6.5, struck at 6:53 a.m. (18:53 ET on Friday) and was centered 114 km (71 miles) east of Davao on Mindanao.

It was a deep tremor, 69 km (43 miles) below the seabed, and was not expected to cause a tsunami, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.

A magnitude 6.3 quake is considered strong and is capable of causing severe damage, but Renato Solidum, head of the Philippines' seismic agency, said the effects of this one would be mitigated by its location and depth.

"The quake is offshore and relatively deep and shaking is reported to be maximum of Intensity V, hence we expect no significant damage," Solidum told Reuters.

Dave Cabrera, a security guard at Hotel Uno in downtown Davao, said the quake was felt strongly in the city.

"Many guests left their rooms and rushed downstairs," he said. "That is the strongest I have felt for this year."

Around 1,000 construction workers building the 23-storey Avida Towers nearby also evacuated, said Junrey Quiroa, a security guard on the site.

"That earthquake was strong. We were worried things might fall off so everyone got out of the site."

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The Philippines is on the geologically active Pacific Ring of Fire and experiences frequent earthquakes.

(Reporting by Neil Jerome Morales in Davao and Manuel Mogato in Manila; Additional reporting by Sandra Maler in Washington; Writing by Lincoln Feast; Editing by Leslie Adler and Cynthia Osterman)