At 2:38 in the afternoon (Philippine Standard Time) of 11 June 2024, a magnitude Mw 5.1 earthquake struck off the eastern coast of Palawan. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) estimated a shallow focal depth of 10 km and located the epicenter at 119.78E Longitude, 9.40N Latitude, or around 90 kilometers southeast of the municipality of Roxas, within the northwest Sulu Sea Basin. Given that Palawan is considered to be founded on a stable continental basement, the occurrence of such an earthquake at this location is very rare, which needs further investigation, including the identification of the fault that generated it.
Available seismic profiles shall be obtained and interpreted using the IHS Kingdom Suite Software of UP NIGS. Earthquake data shall likewise be gathered, processed and interpreted. The results of seismic profile interpretation and earthquake analysis shall be combined to establish a seismotectonic model that can identify the fault that generated the rare M5.1 Palawan Earthquake.
This research aligns with the UN Sustanable Development Goals for Resilient Cities and Communities (SDG 11), for Life on Land (SDG15), and for Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure (SDG 9).
cover photo by Rappler.
