Earthquake in Philippines: A strong earthquake struck the Philippines on Saturday. A 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck off the east coast of Mindanao Island. The US National Tsunami Warning Center said there was no tsunami threat from the quake.
GFZ said the epicenter of the earthquake was at a depth of 10 km (6.21 miles). The US Geological Survey said the magnitude was measured at 6.7.
Why do earthquakes occur?
In recent times, there has been an increase in the incidence of earthquakes in many areas of the country and the world. Actually, there are 7 tectonic plates inside our earth. These plates keep rotating in their place continuously. However, sometimes there is a collision or friction between them. This is the reason why earthquakes are seen on earth.
Every year about 20 thousand earthquakes occur in the world
Every year about 20 thousand earthquakes occur in the world, but their intensity is not so high that people suffer heavy losses. The National Earthquake Information Center records these earthquakes. According to the information, out of 20 thousand, only 100 earthquakes are such that cause damage. The longest lasting earthquake in history so far occurred in the Indian Ocean in 2004. This earthquake was felt for 10 minutes.
How can we estimate the intensity of an earthquake on the Richter scale?
0 to 1.9 Information is obtained from seismograph
2 to 2.9 Very low vibration is detected
3 to 3.9 It will feel as if a heavy vehicle has passed by
4 to 4.9 Items kept in the house can fall down from their place
5 to 5.9 Heavy items and furniture can also move
6 to 6.9 The base of the building can crack
7 to 7.9 Buildings collapse
8 to 8.9 Threat of tsunami, more destruction
9 or more is the most severe destruction, the tremor of the earth will be clearly felt
