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