A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Abra early Wednesday, damaging infrastructures near its epicenter while shaking parts of Metro Manila.
It's the second strongest quake to hit land in recent history, following the magnitude 7.2 earthquake that shook Bohol in October 2013, said Phivolcs director Renato Solidum. The earthquake that shook Luzon was downgraded from Phivolc's initial report of magnitude 7.3
"Kung inland na malakas, ito po talaga ang sunod sa Bohol earthquake na 7.0 na nasa lupa," Solidum told reporters.
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The earthquake was most likely due to the movements of the Abra river fault, one of the active faults in the country that could cause powerful earthquakes.
Here's what you need to know:
Will there be aftershocks?
Yes. Expect more aftershocks in the next two to three days, even weeks. It's also possible for aftershocks stronger than the initial earthquake, he said.
"Unti-unti po siyang bababa ang bilang," he said.
Will there be a tsunami?
Don't worry, said Solidum. There's no tsunami warning and the agency is not expecting one, he said.
"Nasa lupa ang fault. Inland. Hindi n'ya po mapapaangat ang seafloor sa ocean para magdulot ng life-threatening tsunami."
Was that the "The Big One"?
While it was felt in Metro Manila, the earthquake happened in Abra, possibly due to the Abra river fault. It is not "The Big One" in Metro Manila, or the worst-case scenario in case of a major earthquake due to the 100-kilometer West Valley fault that runs through several cities in the capital region.
Phivolcs said there's no specific "The Big One" and these powerful earthquakes differ depends on the areas and scenarios.
Abra is too far. Why was the quake felt in Metro Manila?
"Normal po 'yan sa isang major earthquake. 'Pag mas mataas ang magnitude, mas malayo ang abot ng mga makakaramdam na mga lugar, at 'yung duration ng paggalaw ng lupa, mas matagal," Solidum said.
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