7.2-magnitude quake jolts sea off Davao

A red dot marks the epicenter of a magnitude 7.2 earthquake that hit the sea off Davao Oriental at 11:39 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 29. 2018. PHIVOLCS IMAGE

UPDATED at 1:30 p.m., Dec. 29, 2018, to show revision of quake’s magnitude.

Originally posted at 12:41 p.m., Dec. 29, 2018.

MANILA, Philippines – A 7.2-magnitude earthquake occurred off the coast of Davao Oriental on Saturday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

Engr. Rommel Allan Labayog, Phivolcs Zamboanga City station chief, said the temblor, which was initially reported at magnitude 7.1, was strongly felt in the town of Governor Generoso at 11:39 a.m.

The United States Geological Survey reported the magnitude at 6.9 with an epicenter 84 kilometers (km) southeast of Pondaguitan, Davao Oriental.

Preliminary plotting made by Labayog showed that earthquake event has a depth of 49 km, 162 km southeast of Governor Generoso.

Labayog said the “shallow” quake was “expected to have damages.”

Phivolcs said aftershocks could be expected from the ground shake that was also felt in Davao City, Cagayan de Oro city and Zamboanga City.

In Phivolc’s updated earthquake bulletin, Intensities I to V was felt in the following areas:

Intensity V

Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental

Glan, Sarangani

Koronadal City.

Intensity IV

General Santos City

Tupi, South Cotabato

Alabel, Sarangani

Kiamba, Sarangani

Mati City and Manay, Davao Oriental

Davao City.

Intensity III

Makilala, North Cotabato;

Valencia City and Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon and

Cagayan De Oro City

Maitum, Sarangani

Tagum City

Mabini, Compostela Valley;

Tacloban City

Palo, Leyte

Intensity II

Kadingilan and Don Carlos, Bukidnon

Tagoloan and El Salvador City, Misamis

Oriental

M’lang, North Cotabato

Surallah, South Cotabato

Intensity I

Zamboanga City.   /cbb/muf