6.2 magnitude quake off Surigao Norte rocks Visayas, Mindanao

DAVAO CITY — A powerful magnitude-6.2 earthquake struck off Surigao del Norte shortly before midnight Friday, but caused no damages so far, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

The undersea tectonic quake, which struck at 11:06 had an epicenter some 38 kilometers northwest of Burgos town with a depth of 16 kilometers, Phivolcs said in a bulletin.

The state seismology bureau earlier pegged the quake’s strength at 6.4 but revised it to 6.2.

The temblor was felt in the Visayas and Mindanao, with Intensity V in Burgos, the provincial capital Surigao City and Dinagat island, all of Surigao del Norte.

Intensity IV shaking was observed in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte; Abuyog, Leyte; Tacloban City and the Southern Leyte towns of Hinunangan, San Francisco and San Ricardo.

Palo, Leyte; Borongan, Eastern Samar; Cebu City in the Visayas and Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental experienced Intensity III jolting.

The quake was also felt at Intensity II in Argao City, Cebu, Intensity I in Cagayan de Oro, parts of Cebu, San Francisco town, Cebu; Ormoc City and Alabel, Sarangani province in Mindanao.

Photojournalist Alexander Lopez said it was the strongest quake he has ever felt in Surigao City.

“The building where I was staying was creaking. It was a slow shaking at first then it suddenly became strong. It lasted for several seconds,” Lopez told the Inquirer, adding he was relieved the power did not go out during the temblor.

Rona Omo, a broadcaster in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur, said she was roused from sleep due to the moderately strong shaking.

At least eight aftershocks followed, with the strongest measuring 3.7, Phivolcs said.

No damage was expected from the latest quake, Phivolcs said, even as it came just days after a 5.5 temblor hit off Hinatuan town, Surigao del Sur.

The Philippines sits in the Pacific Ring of Fire where continental plates collide causing frequent quakes and volcanic activity.

In February 2017, the area around Surigao City was devastated following a 6.7-magnitude temblor which killed at least five people and wounded over 200 others.