Earthquakes in the Philippines are not uncommon, although recently the magnitudes are strong. The 2013 earthquake that hit Cebu toppled a portion of one of the oldest churches in the country. Recently, an earthquake in Batangas, Philippines, happened, affecting the income of its famous diving spots. But then why? Perhaps you want to see this video captured by a diver.

The Philippines is an uncomfortable position as far as natural disasters are concerned. Being in the Pacific Ocean means it is prone to typhoons, but it also sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where more than 75 percent of the world’s earthquakes occur.

As a diver interested in diving in Cebu, it’s important to know what happens and what to do in case you’re under water when it strikes.

Can You Feel the Earthquake underneath the Ocean?

Everybody knows what happens on land during an earthquake. Depending on the magnitude and intensity, it can result in severe devastation including loss of lives. However, it’s actually different when you’re underneath the water.

In general, you don’t “feel” the earthquake – that is, you don’t experience the same trembling on land. This is because most of these earthquakes occur at the edges of the oceanic or continental plates. But it’s not unusual to hear strong vibrational sounds as if a gigantic boat with an equally gigantic propeller happened to pass by above you.

Now it sounds like being underwater is safer than land when there’s an earthquake. The truth is, not so much.

Potential Issues and What to Do

One of the possibilities is an underwater landslide, which is no different from a typical landslide. You also need to be concerned about tsunamis, which can happen when the magnitude is about 7.0 in the Richter scale. Being caught in these situations is rough since divers are not allowed to ascend very quickly.

First, you need to get yourself certified with the basic courses, especially the reentry and navigating with currents. You also have to learn about rescues and breathing when pressure changes, which can happen when a tsunami passes by.

It’s incredibly important to have a presence of mind when diving at all times. It’s certainly difficult to do that when you feel something is wrong, but it will help you if you find yourself near the shallow waters where strong waves can bring you ashore and slam you to hard objects.

Depending on the intensity and magnitude of the quake, it’s best to skip the waters for a while as aftershocks can still occur.

Contrary to typhoons, there’s no tool that can help us predict when an earthquake will strike. Not even seismologists can answer the big question. As a diver, what you can do is to prepare for the worst – always. While you’re enjoying the beauty of the seas when diving in Cebu, pay attention to the tiniest details such as an unusual sound or light. Trust your gut. After all, it’s always better to be safe than take very serious risks.