CommuniC UTION: Quackery Intensifies Media

Media is filled with different information and contents that may greatly affect the perception of individuals yet some information is false that brought such vigorous alarm just like what happened to Dabaweños. As the earthquake shook the land of Davao de Oro, numerous fake information had spread across the internet and media affecting the individuals and the cause of such trauma and distress.

Post-earthquake made huge fallacies, saying that a volcano Mt. Leonard and crater Amakan may erupt anytime but it is quite contrary to the speculations and beliefs yet the loss of science communication and a well-suited synopsis thus having a science communication will accurately explain the situation especially the traumatic earthquake and a so-called volcanic eruptions. Without science communication, everyone will fall under only in quackery and can generate distress and panic.

After the following seismic activities, people believed that a volcano eruption would occur, however, it was clarified by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) that the possibility of such volcanic eruption in Mt. Leonard has no chance at all.

On the other hand, volcanic eruption is a destructive calamity that causes catalysts in both humans and in the environment. Before the eruption takes place, there will be signs and indications around the place such as a change in temperature, a frequent earthquake and seismic activities, a fuming of the surroundings especially in lakes, the release of gasses and landslides.

In the case of Mt. Leonard, it showed signs such as the release of sulfuric acid which is common within the premises around the volcano. A release of gasses near volcanoes is called fumaroles. Fumaroles are geological phenomena wherein it releases volcanic gasses such as sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide and commonly appeared as cracks, holes or fissures yet it is not a sign of a volcano near to erupt but it is a sign of an active volcano.

Aside from that, a frequent earthquake and seismic activities is not always linked to a volcanic eruption. There are reasons and causes of earthquakes such as a sudden slip on a fault and a movement of tectonic plates which constantly but leisurely moving along the earth's crust.

Another interesting phenomenon is that the possibility of volcanic eruption can be detectable about weeks and months to years following the long process of pressurization and the movement of magma inside the chamber.

In addition, before an eruption takes place, there will be heat anomalies, changes of gravity, a change in magnetic fields as well as geoelectrical phenomena.

Amidst the natural calamities especially earthquakes, it should be noted in the very mindset that preparation and alertness is very crucial yet necessary in all means. Information across media is not always factual and credible therefore validating the information first whether it was true or just false.

Loss of science communication should be prevented by the individuals since it was a major thing that the human need to penetrate. CommuniCAUTION should always be firmly practiced since the new generation had so much fallacies yet Quackery within media.