The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology recorded a minor earthquake in Davao de Oro on Wednesday, October 18, 2023. | PHOTO: Phivolcs
MANILA, Philippines — Four minor tectonic earthquakes swayed the provinces of Davao de Oro, Batangas, and Masbate on Wednesday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported.
According to the agency, an earthquake is “minor” if it registers 3.0 to 3.9 magnitude on the scale.
Phivolcs’ earthquake information shows that the first temblor was recorded in New Bataan, Davao de Oro at 1:27 p.m. It was in magnitude 3.3 and had a 14-kilometer depth of focus.
The agency said Intensity II was felt in the area, while Intensity I was reported in Nabunturan and Compostela, both in Davao de Oro.
An Instrumental Intensity I was recorded in Nabunturan, Davao de Oro.
In a previous interview with INQUIRER.net, Phivolcs Science research analyst Lara Guianan explained that intensity is the power of an earthquake as felt and reported in the affected area, while instrumental intensity is the quake’s strength as measured by an intensity meter or scale.
Meanwhile, at 4:40 p.m., a temblor also occurred in the City of Calaca, Batangas. The magnitude 3.4 earthquake had a one-kilometer depth of focus.
Based on the earthquake information of Phivolcs, different ground motion intensities were registered in the province. Intensity II was felt in the City of Calaca, Lemery, and Balayan.
Instrumental Intensity II was recorded in Calatagan, while Instrumental Intensity I was recorded in Lemery, Santa Teresita, and San Luis.
Batuan, Masbate was shaken by a magnitude three earthquake, with a depth of focus of 13 kilometers at 7:00 p.m. An Instrumental Intensity I in the City of Masbate was detected by Phivolcs.
Another minor earthquake hit the City of Calaca, Batangas, at 10:01 p.m. It had a magnitude of 3.3 and a one-kilometer depth of focus.
Phivolcs indicated that Intensity II was felt in the city, while Instrumental Intensity II was reported in San Luis, and Instrumental Intensity I in Lemery, Santa Teresita, and Cuenca, all in the province of Batangas.
Phivolcs noted that neither aftershocks nor damage could be expected from the four earthquakes.