Is the rumored magnitude 6.8 earthquake prediction that will hit Philippines tonight, true?

False. As of this time, there is no accurate way to predict earthquakes. Scientists can predict certain areas to be hit by an earthquake due to obvious factors such as the case of San Andreas fault in the State of California. Hehehe.

No. It's a hoax because earthquakes cannot be predicted. However, there was a 5.3 earthquake today in Luzon.

Check the sites out:

14 May 2008

2:00 PM

PHIVOLCS CLARIFICATION

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology would like to inform the general public that the text message currently circulating in the Philippines about a prediction by a certain “US Geological Society” of a “magnitude 6.8 earthquake to hit Philippine Plates tonight”, purportedly issued by the “Hawaii State Emergency Preparedness Office” IS A HOAX. This hoax started the day after the Magnitude 7.9 China earthquake of May 12, 2008.

There is no organization currently capable of predicting an earthquake which is very specific in terms of magnitude and the date. There is no “US Geological Society”, only US Geological SURVEY but this agency does not issue immediate predictions especially for areas outside the United States of America. Past experiences show that rumors of a predicted strong earthquake are common after disastrous earthquakes in nearby countries.

The Philippines can be affected by a major earthquake but as to when exactly this would happen cannot be predicted and what is important is we continue to practice earthquake preparedness and risk reduction measures.

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USGS: Earthquakes can't be predicted

INQUIRER.net

First Posted 16:25:00 05/14/2008

MANILA, Philippines--Earthquakes cannot be predicted, the US Geological Survey (USGS) has said as rumors swirled here that 6.8-magnitude quake would hit the Philippines Wednesday night.

“Neither the USGS nor Caltech nor any other scientists have ever predicted a major earthquake. They do not know how, and they do not expect to know how any time in the foreseeable future,” the USGS said on its website.

Text messages have been passed on supposedly from a "US Geological Society" predicting the strong quake.

The US Geological Survey says it focuses its efforts on the long-term mitigation of earthquake hazards by helping to improve the safety of structures, rather than by trying to accomplish short-term predictions.

“However based on scientific data, probabilities can be calculated for potential future earthquakes,” the USGS said.

“For example, scientists estimate that over the next 30 years the probability of a major earthquake occurring in the San Francisco Bay area is 67 percent and 60 percent in Southern California,” it added.

14 May 2008

2:00 PM

PHIVOLCS CLARIFICATION

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology would like to inform the general public that the text message currently circulating in the Philippines about a prediction by a certain “US Geological Society” of a “magnitude 6.8 earthquake to hit Philippine Plates tonight”, purportedly issued by the “Hawaii State Emergency Preparedness Office” IS A HOAX. This hoax started the day after the Magnitude 7.9 China earthquake of May 12, 2008.

There is no organization currently capable of predicting an earthquake which is very specific in terms of magnitude and the date. There is no “US Geological Society”, only US Geological SURVEY but this agency does not issue immediate predictions especially for areas outside the United States of America. Past experiences show that rumors of a predicted strong earthquake are common after disastrous earthquakes in nearby countries.

The Philippines can be affected by a major earthquake but as to when exactly this would happen cannot be predicted and what is important is we continue to practice earthquake preparedness and risk reduction measures.

This is what I got from Philvolcs:

14 May 2008

2:00 PM

PHIVOLCS CLARIFICATION

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology would like to inform the general public that the text message currently circulating in the Philippines about a prediction by a certain “US Geological Society” of a “magnitude 6.8 earthquake to hit Philippine Plates tonight”, purportedly issued by the “Hawaii State Emergency Preparedness Office” IS A HOAX. This hoax started the day after the Magnitude 7.9 China earthquake of May 12, 2008.

There is no organization currently capable of predicting an earthquake which is very specific in terms of magnitude and the date. There is no “US Geological Society”, only US Geological SURVEY but this agency does not issue immediate predictions especially for areas outside the United States of America. Past experiences show that rumors of a predicted strong earthquake are common after disastrous earthquakes in nearby countries.

The Philippines can be affected by a major earthquake but as to when exactly this would happen cannot be predicted and what is important is we continue to practice earthquake preparedness and risk reduction measures.

PHIVOLCS CLARIFICATION ON ALLEGED 6.8 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE

14 MAY 2008

2:00 P.M.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology would like to inform the general public that the text message currently circulating in the Philippines about a prediction by a certain “US Geological Society” of a “magnitude 6.8 earthquake to hit Philippine Plates tonight”, purportedly issued by the “Hawaii State Emergency Preparedness Office” IS A HOAX. This hoax started the day after the Magnitude 7.9 China earthquake of May 12, 2008.

14 MAY 2008

2:00 P.M.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology would like to inform the general public that the text message currently circulating in the Philippines about a prediction by a certain “US Geological Society” of a “magnitude 6.8 earthquake to hit Philippine Plates tonight”, purportedly issued by the “Hawaii State Emergency Preparedness Office” IS A HOAX. This hoax started the day after the Magnitude 7.9 China earthquake of May 12, 2008.

I hope this will help calm the public...but still lets be prepared. Buti na yung sigurado...

Philvolcs clarification dated 14 May 2008:

Philvolcs has informed the general public that the text message currently circulating in the Philippines about a prediction by a certain "US Geological Society" of a magnitude of 6.8 earthquake to Hit the Phil planes tonight purportedly issued by the Hawaii State Emergency Preparedness office IS A HOAX! This hoax started the day after the magnitude 7.9 China earthquake of 12 May 2008.

There is no organization currently capable of predicting an earthquake which is very specific in terms of magnitude and date... ...what is important is we continue to practice earthquake preparedness and risk reduction.

No. Earthquakes cannot be predicted that far into the future. Plus, the SMS states that the warning came from the US emergency Preparedness office. Such an outfit does not exist. Each State in the US have different emergency preparedness establishments. The closest reliable info should come from either USGS or at the very least FEMA. The best way to find out if such a rumor is true is to visit http://earthquake.usgs.gov/

Hi all,

I copied this section of the news from the homepage of phivolcs

PHIVOLCS CLARIFICATION ON ALLEGED 6.8 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE

14 MAY 2008

2:00 P.M.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology would like to inform the general public that the text message currently circulating in the Philippines about a prediction by a certain “US Geological Society” of a “magnitude 6.8 earthquake to hit Philippine Plates tonight”, purportedly issued by the “Hawaii State Emergency Preparedness Office” IS A HOAX. This hoax started the day after the Magnitude 7.9 China earthquake of May 12, 2008.

And to whoever started this fear/panic mongering... I hope you're happy... and I do believe in the law of karma... may the unnecessary stress and anxiety you caused all of these people come back to you.

PHIVOLCS CLARIFICATION ON ALLEGED 6.8 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE

14 MAY 2008

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology would like to inform the general public that the text message currently circulating in the Philippines about a prediction by a certain “US Geological Society” of a “magnitude 6.8 earthquake to hit Philippine Plates tonight”, purportedly issued by the “Hawaii State Emergency Preparedness Office” IS A HOAX. This hoax started the day after the Magnitude 7.9 China earthquake of May 12, 2008.

http://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/

Of course I heared it first from my mom who called and mentioned that the source was my aunt who was a member of focolare a Marian devotee group. Look, anything can happen. But panic can cause more damage. Pray, be prepared for the worse, be alert.

This is BS. There's currently no known technology that can accurately predict earthquakes. What's funny is that there's no such thing as the "US Geological Society" and there's no "Hawaii State Emergency Preparedness Office".

There's the US Geological Survey, and they certainly don't give out earthquake predictions.

The fact that the text message says it will hit tonight (specific time) with a magnitude of 6.8 (specific magnitude) should raise red flags for a hoax.

It irritates me to know that there are people out there who are willing to create panic just for a laugh. Certainly, earthquake preparedness is crucial, but this is fearmongering.