DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology in Negros Oriental has confirmed recording an earthquake swarm over the past week in the municipality of Valencia.
Jose Molas, science research specialist and acting chief of the Phivolcs Seismic Station in Sibulan, Negros Oriental, said they last recorded 28 tremors between 8 a.m. Thursday and 8 a.m. Friday.
An earthquake swarm is described as an event where an area experiences a series of earthquakes within a relatively short period of time.
The earthquakes, of tectonic origin, were plotted to be in almost the same location in Valencia, said Molas.
Mt. Talinis, classified as an inactive volcano, is found in Valencia.
But he said the swarms from January 27, when the strongest quake — magnitude 4.7 — of the past week was recorded, to February 2 need to be validated by experts who will determine the cause.
He also declined to comment on the possible presence of an earthquake fault, saying only the Phivolcs national office can issue such a declaration.
Molas has already recommended the deployment of a quick response team to Valencia to set up instruments to plot and investigate the earthquakes.
