Sunday 23 April 2017

Magnitude 5.3 Earthquake off the northeast coast of Mindanao Island, The Philippines.

The United States Geological Survey recorded a Magnitude 5.3 Earthquake at a depth of 62.8 km about 12 km off the coast of the resort of Burgos in Agusan del Sur Province on northern Mindanao Island, Philippines, slightly before 9.20 am local time (slightly before 1.20 am GMT) on Sunday 23 April 2017. There are no reports of any casualties this event, though some minor damage has been reported in the municipality of Tago.

 The approximate location of the 23 April 2017 Mindanao Earthquake. Google.

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...
 
http://sciencythoughts.blogspot.co.uk/2017/02/magnitude-65-earthquake-off-north-coast.htmlhttp://sciencythoughts.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/magnitude-59-earthquake-on-mindanao.html
http://sciencythoughts.blogspot.co.uk/2016/08/magnitude-54-earthquake-beneath.htmlhttp://sciencythoughts.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/magnitude-50-earthquake-in-hinatuan.html
http://sciencythoughts.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/magnitude-48-earthquake-on-mindanao.htmlhttp://sciencythoughts.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/at-least-nine-dead-following-flash.html
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