A series of earthquakes is currently being monitored offshore Surigao del Norte, Philippines. This earthquake swarm started with a magnitude 5.5 earthquake on 26 April 2019. As of 5:00 AM (PST) on 30 April, the Philippine Seismic Network had already recorded 728 events with magnitudes ranging between 1.5-5.5, and clustering in the same area/vicinity.
These events are associated with the ongoing subduction of the Philippine Sea Plate along the Philippine Trench.
At this early stage, the current earthquake activity may indicate two scenarios:
- it may continue with its present activity and eventually wane in the next few days,
- the swarm may culminate into a larger and destructive earthquake.
The swarm is still ongoing today.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology DOST-PHIVOLCS is continuously monitoring.
People in the area should prepare for the worst and stay informed.
