Bohol quake is equal to 32 atomic bombs - Phivolcs

MANILA, Philippines - The magnitude 7.2 earthquake that struck Bohol and Central Visayas on Tuesday morning is as strong as dozens of atomic bombs used in World War II, the chief state volcanologist said.

Dr. Renato Solidum, executive director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), said the Bohol tremor is within the category of a major earthquake because of its magnitude.

"A magnitude 7 earthquake has an energy equivalent to around 32 Hiroshima atomic bombs," Solidum said a televised press briefing before Tuesday noon.

Solidum also noted that the Bohol earthquake was stronger than the 7.0 earthquake that devastated Haiti in 2010, which affected millions and killed thousands.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the Bohol earthquake has so far killed 20 people, after causing heavy damages to infrastructures including centuries-old churches.

More than 200 aftershocks have been monitored by Phivolcs several hours after the Bohol quake.

According to the agency, the magnitude 7.2 earthquake was tectonic in origin and had a depth of 33 kilometers.

Intensity VII was felt in the provincial capital, Tagbilaran City, where several aftershocks were felt including a magnitude 4.8 quake.

Read: 241 aftershocks hit Bohol 7 hours after deadly quake

The earthquake was felt strong in several areas in Central Visayas and nearby areas:

Intensity VII - Tagbilaran, Bohol
Intensity VI - Inigaran, Negros Occidental
Intensity V- Iloilo City; La Carlota; 
Intensity IV - Masbate City; Roxas City; San Jose, Culasi, Antique; Guihulngan, Negros Oriental
Intensity III - Davao City

Related stories: Quake kills 20 in Visayas | Magnitude 7.2 quake strikes Central Visayas