Magnitude 6 quake rocks Davao Oriental

MANILA, Philippines — A magnitude 6 earthquake jolted Davao Oriental early Wednesday morning, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

The quake occurred at 4:03 a.m. Its epicenter was located 117 kilometer South 49° East of Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental.

It has a depth of focus of 40 km.

The tremor was felt at Intensity IV in Davao City, Mati City, and San Josefa, Agusan del Sur while Digos City, Alabel, and Malungon, Sarangani; Manay, Davao Oriental; Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur felt it at Intensity III.

On the other hand, General Santos City; Tupi, South Cotabato; Glan, Kiamba and Malapatan, Sarangani; Makilala, Cotabato experienced the quake at Intensity II. The quake was also felt at Intensity I in Gingood City.

Meanwhile, the following areas felt the earthquake at various Instrumental Intensities:

• Intensity III - Alabel, Sarangani

• Intensity II - General Santos City; Tupi, South Cotabato; Kiamba, Sarangani; Kidapawan City; Davao City; Gingoog City

• Intensity I - Cebu City; T'boli, South Cotabato

Phivolcs categorizes earthquakes felt at Intensity IV as moderately strong. The quake is usually felt by people indoors and some people outdoors.

In its latest bulletin, Phivolcs said it is not expecting any damage from the quake but it is expecting aftershocks. It also clarified that the magnitude 6 quake is an aftershock of the magnitude 7.2 earthquake recorded in Davao Oriental on December 29.

At least nine other mild quakes were recorded by Phivolcs on Thursday. These are in the areas Batanes, Bohol, Davao Oriental, Guimaras,  Maguindanao,  Negros Oriental, Pangasinan and Surigao del Sur.

All of these quakes were determined to be tectonic in origin.