‘불의 고리’가 깨운 공포, 필리핀 민다나오를 덮친 초대형 강진의 충격과 과제 > K-wave Trends

Right after the earthquake occurred, observation agencies in each country had somewhat different estimates of the magnitude, causing confusion. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) analyzed the magnitude as 7.8, while some organizations observed up to 8.2, suggesting that the scale of the tectonic movement was significant. The epicenter was the sea area adjacent to General Santos City, and the depth of the epicenter was estimated to be between 10km and 63km, so the intensity of the vibration transmitted to the surface was likely extreme. In particular, General Santos City is a large city with a population of approximately 680,000 people, and strong tremors swept through the entire city center, causing serious physical damage to homes and commercial facilities. Videos shared through social media show the tragic sight of shopping centers and school buildings collapsing helplessly, raising concerns that this earthquake will be one of the worst disasters in modern Philippine history.

The impact of a strong earthquake does not stop at the main quake but continues with powerful aftershocks of 6 points or more, maximizing the fear of secondary damage. Philippine authorities have received reports that buildings are cracking and collapsing one after another, and casualties are also being confirmed one after another. Rescue operations are in progress, but there are physical limitations in determining the exact scale of casualties due to communication network failures and road damage. Local police and disaster authorities are making every effort to dispatch rescue workers and rescue citizens trapped in the rubble, but the continued aftershocks are creating an urgent situation where even the safety of rescue workers is difficult to guarantee.

What caused greater fear than the earthquake itself was the threat of the ensuing tsunami. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued an emergency evacuation order, warning that a tsunami ranging from 1m to up to 3m could hit the coasts of nearby countries, including the Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan, and Palau. The Japan Meteorological Agency also issued a tsunami warning for the Pacific coastal region and advised coastal residents to immediately move to higher ground. Warnings that the sea may suddenly recede or that huge waves may surge stimulated the survival instincts of coastal residents, leading to a mass evacuation procession in which thousands of residents left their homes and fled inland.

This incident once again reminds us of the fateful geological environment that the Philippines faces. The Philippines is located in the core section of the ‘Ring of Fire’ where 90% of the world’s earthquakes and volcanic activity is concentrated, making it a country where large and small earthquakes occur every day. The tragic history of the 8.0 magnitude earthquake that occurred in 1976, killing thousands of people, is deeply engraved in the strata of Mindanao Island. Experts warn that the complex of 180 active faults and 6 active trenches along the Philippine coast are like a time bomb that can cause a major disaster at any time. Because of these environmental specialties, the Philippine government is building a permanent disaster preparedness system, but in the face of a mega-earthquake like this one, even its response capabilities are bound to be overwhelmed.

Recurring discrepancies in observation values ​​and speed of information sharing whenever a disaster occurs are expected to remain issues of international cooperation in the future. Meteorological authorities in each country announce different figures, which can lead to confusion in disaster response. This incident has once again proven how important it is to have a rapid information reporting system between local and central governments in the event of an earthquake. In addition, beyond simply earthquake-resistant design to strengthen buildings, there is an urgent need to upgrade coastal early warning systems to respond to complex disasters such as tsunamis. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology is urging the public to maintain daily alertness, but individual preparation alone has its limits, so strengthening infrastructure at the national level is more urgent than anything else.