5.7 quake jolts Davao Oriental, eastern parts of Mindanao

Dec. 04, 2013

by DAVAO TODAY

DAVAO CITY — A magnitude 5.7 earthquake with an epicenter in Southeast of Davao Oriental jolted Mati and other areas in Davao Region, Agusan del Sur and Socsksargen early this morning.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recorded the quake occurred at 7:58 in the morning, with a depth of 44 kilometers.

Phivolcs recorded the quake, which is tectonic in origin, at intensity 5 in Mati and Davao City; intensity 4 in Digos City; Don Marcelino and Malita, Davao del Sur; and Caraga, Davao Oriental; intensity 3 in Tagum City; Panabo City; Compostela Valley; Matan-ao, Davao del Sur; Butuan City; Kidapawan City.

The quake was also felt at intensity 2 in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur; Cotabato City; General Santos City; Koronadal City; Polomolok, South Cotabato; and Alabel, Sarangani.

There was no significant damage reported on the incident, according to Phivolcs.

Phivolcs Davao OIC Jenila de Ocampo in an interview with Davao Today said that the quake was tectonic in origin and could possibly come from the Eastern Mindanao fault line.

Phivolcs National Director Renato Solidum said in an interview with a television network that the quake is part of the Philippine fault zone and that it might be due to a movement of the Philippine trench.

The Philippine trench, according to Encyclopedia Britannica, “is submarine trench in the floor of the Philippine Sea of the western North Pacific Ocean bordering the east coast of the island of Mindanao.”

Solidum cited that a tsunami is unlikely to happen following such a magnitude of a quake although aftershocks are possible. (davaotoday.com)

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