MANILA — The powerful earthquake that jolted Mindanao last week has left a trail of aftershocks, with the count reaching at least 120 as reported by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Thursday.
Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol revealed that only six of these aftershocks were perceptible, or able to be felt, with the bigest recording a magnitude of 4.9.
In the aftermath of the seismic activity, at least 1,700 houses have suffered partial damage or have been totally destroyed, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s latest update as of Wednesday.
The state seismology service pinpoints the cause of the quake to shaking of the earth’s crust along the Cotabato trench. This geological phenomenon, characterized by a lengthy and narrow depression on the seafloor, serves as the boundary between tectonic plates, creating stress and potential seismic events.
Marcos, who was in General Santos, promised more support for the ongoing support and recovery efforts.