Divers caught in underwater sandstorm as M5.9 earthquake hits Philippines
A video captured by Jan Paul Rodriguez shows an underwater sandstorm produced by an earthquake doublet near Batangas, Philippines on Saturday, April 8, 2017.
An earthquake swarm has been going on near Batangas since April 4 when a M5.1 earthquake struck 5 km (3.1 miles) west of Ilijan, 15.8 km (9.8 miles) south-southwest of Batangas, population 237 370. Since then, the U.S. Geological Survey has registered 13 moderate to strong earthquakes (M4.6 – 5.9). PHIVOLCS said they recorded over 1 000 aftershocks.
You can read more about Saturday's earthquake doublet here. The video below shows its effects underwater.
Video courtesy Jan Paul Rodrigues via Telegram
This region is popular for diving and snorkeling but tourists are now leaving out of fear they may be affected by the earthquakes. "I need to declare a state of calamity," Mabini Mayor Noel Luistro said.
Scuba divers have been advised not to dive in the water surrounding Batangas as the seafloor may still be murky.
Image credit: USGS
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4.6
11km N of Sabang, Philippines
2017-04-09 03:14:20 (UTC)
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4.4
6km W of Tingloy, Philippines
2017-04-08 17:26:42 (UTC)
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4.7
13km WSW of Tingloy, Philippines
2017-04-08 15:23:00 (UTC)
-
4.7
6km S of Wawa, Philippines
2017-04-08 08:36:39 (UTC)
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5.0
1km WNW of Taysan, Philippines
2017-04-08 07:29:12 (UTC)
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5.9
1km SSW of Talaga, Philippines
2017-04-08 07:09:27 (UTC)
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5.5
1km NE of Bagalangit, Philippines
2017-04-08 07:08:01 (UTC)
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4.6
2km WSW of Banalo, Philippines
2017-04-05 14:32:46 (UTC)
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5.1
5km E of Tingloy, Philippines
2017-04-04 16:49:11 (UTC)
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5.2
7km WNW of Ilijan, Philippines
2017-04-04 15:13:56 (UTC)
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4.8
6km NE of Sabang, Philippines
2017-04-04 14:44:30 (UTC)
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4.6
2km N of Balatero, Philippines
2017-04-04 14:10:10 (UTC)
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5.1
5km W of Ilijan, Philippines
2017-04-04 12:58:48 (UTC)
Featured image credit: Jan Paul Rodriguez
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