By Paulo Loreto Lim

Based on reports from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), earthquakes are still being felt in Valencia, Negros Oriental. The ongoing situation is believed to be linked to the 4.7-magnitude earthquake that struck in late January, which has since set off numerous aftershocks.

According to Phivolcs Seismic Station officer-in-charge Jose Molas, the most recent quake occurred on February 28, with at least one tremor detected in the preceding days.

He noted most of the recent quakes were too small to record a magnitude.

The Phivolcs official also affirmed earthquake activity is “dwindling,” reiterating a statement made last month.

“This is an indication that the ground shaking was slowly decreasing,” Molas said.

Phivolcs has since determined the quakes were caused by two fault lines in the province.

However, Silliman University physics professor Francisco Ablong, Jr. previously challenged the institute’s position, which earlier noted, Mt. Talinis, a volcano located in Valencia, was considered inactive, and claimed the earthquakes were volcanic in nature.

He believes the volcano is actually “potentially active,” referring to a volcano that has no record of eruptions./PLL, WDJ