The United States Geological Survey
recorded a Magnitude 6.5 Earthquake at a depth of 15 km about 10 km to
the north of the city of Surigao in Surigao del Norte on northern Mindanao
Island, Philippines, slightly after 10.20 pm local time (slightly after 2.20 pm GMT) on Friday 10 February 2017. The event was felt across a wide area of Mindanao, Bohol, Cebu, Negros and the several smaller islands. Two people were reportedly injured during this event, with minor damage reported to a number of buildings in Surigao.
Damage to the facade of the Parkway Hotel in Surigao City following the 10 February 2017 Earthquake. Danilo Adorador/Inquirer.
The geology of the central Philippines is Complex. The west of Mindanao
Island is located on the Banda (or Sunda) Microplate, and the east on
the Philippine Plate, which is being subducted beneath the Sunda (or
Banda) Microplate along the central part of the island. Immediately to
the east of the Island the Pacific Plate is being subducted along the
Philippine Trench, and passes beneath eastern Mindanao as it sinks into
the Earth. This is not a smooth process, an the plates constantly stick
together then break apart again as the pressure builds up, resulting in
Earthquakes.
Subduction beneath the Philippines. Yves Descatoire/Singapore Earth Observatory.
Witness
accounts of Earthquakes can help geologists to understand these events,
and the structures that cause them. The international non-profit
organisation Earthquake Report is interested in hearing from people who may have felt this event; if you felt this quake then you can report it to Earthquake Report here.
See also...
Follow Sciency Thoughts on Facebook.
