Magnitude 5.7 quake jolts parts of Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines - A moderately strong earthquake shook parts of Mindanao yesterday but authorities said they were not expecting any significant damage from the tremor.

Renato Solidum, director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), said the quake, which registered a magnitude of 5.7, struck at 7:58 a.m. and was centered 57 kilometers southeast of Mati, Davao Oriental.

It was reportedly felt at Intensity 5 in Mati and Davao City; Intensity 4 in Digos City, Don Marcelino and Malita in Davao del Sur, and Caraga in Davao Oriental.

The quake was also felt at Intensity 3 in Tagum City, Panabo City, Compostela Valley, Matan-ao in Davao del Sur, Butuan City, and Kidapawan City.

The tremor was felt at Intensity 2 in San Francisco in Agusan del Sur, Cotabato City, General Santos City, Koronadal City, Polomolok in South Cotabato, Alabel in Sarangani, and Matalam in North Cotabato.

Solidum said the quake was not expected to generate a tsunami. “We don’t expect significant damage from this quake,” he added.

However, Solidum warned residents in areas near the quake’s epicenter of possible aftershocks.

A check with the Davao City 911 Central Emergency Response Center showed that there were no quake-related emergencies reported.

“We immediately checked the coastal areas and we sent our policemen to check on the barangays. There has been no report of any casualty,” said Senior Superintendent Jose Carumba, Davao Oriental police director.

Phivolcs defines intensity as the strength of seismic shaking, while magnitude is the measurement of energy released by an earthquake.

The Philippines lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, an arc of fault lines circling the Pacific Basin that is prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. – With Edith Regalado, Ben Serrano, Ramil Bajo, John Unson