On Tuesday, a magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck the southern Philippines, prompting warnings of aftershocks and potential damage from local officials.
A tremor hit the shallow depth just outside the Maragusan municipality in the mountainous gold-mining region of Davao de Oro on Mindanao island.The tremor lasted approximately 30 seconds and was followed by aftershocks
There were no initial reports of serious damage, despite the fact that shallow earthquakes are more destructive than deeper ones.
The Maragusan disaster office is looking into allegations of a landslip on a major route, an employee there told the media.”We have not heard any reports of any damage or casualties, but we are inspecting the villages around the town,” he added.
The tremor was powerful enough to “create fear,” despite the fact that it did not appear to have caused any damage.
The Philippines is located on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” an arc of high seismic and volcanic activity that spans from Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin, therefore earthquakes are a regular occurrence there.
Most are too weak to be sensed by humans, but occasionally one may come along that is both powerful and harmful.
Government officials often practise earthquake preparedness along real fault lines.
Major Oil Spill in Philippines : Curfew Imposed
The earthquake comes in the wake of curfews being imposed due to a major oil spill. A week ago off the coast of the province of Oriental Mindoro in the Philippines, the MT Princess Empress ship sank on February 28th. Since then the Philippines Coast Guard has been working nonstop to contain the spill . In addition to that, oil spill booms have been set up, and chemicals have been sprayed, all in an effort to contain the fire.
As a result of a significant oil spill caused by the sinking ship in the Philippines, dozens of residents of coastal towns have taken ill.
When it sank a week ago the MT Princess Empress was transporting 800,000 litres of industrial fuel oil in its hold. Since then, that oil has made its way to the coastlines of a number of fishing villages located nearby, leaving the beaches covered in a black sludge.
According to media reports, officials in Pola town are checking the air and water for toxicity after 14 individuals fell ill with cramping, vomiting, and dizziness after the spill. The town has declared a state of emergency and placed a curfew on all residents under the age of 21. Cleanup personnel who were dispatched to the afflicted village of Pola have also reported feeling ill.
When fuel oil vapours are breathed in, they can produce symptoms such as nausea and headaches. When fuel oil vapours come into contact with the skin, they can cause itching and blistering.
The government of the Philippines has declared a state of calamity for the regions of the province that have been impacted by the spill and has placed a ban on fishing until the spill has been cleaned up.
Yet, the ban has a significant negative effect on the ability of many people living in the area to make a living. According to the statements made by the local authorities, more than 18,000 fishermen residing in sixty different communities have been prohibited from entering the water.
Concerns have been voiced by the tourism ministry of the Philippines on the possibility that waters in major diving spots, such as the Verde Island passage and Apo Reef in Mindoro and the World War Two shipwrecks in Palawan, could become contaminated as a result of the leak.
According to marine experts, the spill puts at danger around 36,000 hectares (88,958 acres) of coral reef, mangroves, and seagrass.
The presence of oil can be fatal to corals and stifle their growth. It is also capable of poisoning wildlife or suffocating them, both of which further disrupt food chains and ecosystems.
On Monday, the authorities stated that they had a strong belief that they had identified the ship, which had shifted from the location where it had sunk the previous week.
It is not yet known what led to the sinking of the ship flying the flag of the Philippines amid stormy seas. A passing cargo ship was able to save all 20 members of the vessel’s crew just in time before the ship sank.
The authorities are reportedly consulting with experts to determine how much oil is still contained inside the tanker, as well as the best way to pump the remaining oil out and stop any further leaks.
RDC Reield Marine Services Inc., the company that owns the tanker, has hired two different local organisations to clean up the mess.
Harbor Star’s vice president, Rodrigo Bella, commented on how the weather had complicated their task. Bella explained that if the weather at sea is poor, it makes it too risky for the company’s contractors to do their jobs.
To help those who have lost income due to the temporary closure of fishing and swimming sites, the federal government has also promised to hire locals under a scheme.