Latest in a series: Magnitude 6.8 quake strikes again off Surigao del Sur

[UPDATED 8:50 a.m., December 4, 2023, to reflect Phivolcs’ adjustment of the earthquake magnitude from 6.7 to 6.8.]

MANILA, Philippines — Another earthquake, this time of magnitude 6.8, struck 63 kilometers off east-southeast of Cagwait in Surigao del Sur on Monday, just a day after a magnitude 7.4 tremor (initially reported as 6.9) shook the province and nearby areas.

The latest quake, which was of tectonic origin with a shallow depth of focus of one kilometer, was recorded at 3:49 a.m.,  according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

The tremor is unlikely to cause damage but aftershocks are expected, it also said.

READ: Phivolcs says over 1,500 aftershocks swayed Surigao del Sur

The ground movement was felt at Intensity V (strong) in Cagwait Municipality in Surigao del Sur; Intensity IV (moderately strong) in Tarragona, Davao Oriental and Tandag City, Surigao Del Sur; and Intensity III (weak) in Iligan City in Cagayan De Oro, and Banaybanay, Lupon, and Mati City in Davao Oriental.

Phivolcs’ scales, meanwhile, recorded the earthquake at:

• Instrumental Intensity IV (moderately strong) in Abuyog, Leyte; Hinunangan, Southern Leyte; Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental; Nabunturan, Davao De Oro; Surigao City, Surigao Del Norte; and Bislig City and Tandag City, Surigao Del Sur
• Instrumental Intensity III (weak) in Quinapondan, Eastern Samar; Dulag, Hilongos, Kananga, and Mahaplag, Leyte; Sogod, Southern Leyte; Libona,  Malaybalay City, and San Fernando, Bukidnon; Magsaysay, Misamis Oriental; Cagayan De Oro City; Digos City, Davao Del Sur; Davao City; Malungon, Sarangani; Columbio, Sultan Kudarat; and Cabadbaran City, Agusan Del Norte
• Instrumental Intensity II (slightly felt) in Argao and Danao City, Cebu; Can-avid, Eastern Samar; Alangalang, Albuera, Burauen, Carigara, Javier, Leyte, and Palo, Leyte; Ormoc City; Catbalogan City, Samar; Malitbog and San Juan, Southern Leyte; Dapitan City, Zamboanga Del Norte; Kadingilan and Maramag, Bukidnon; Initao, Misamis Oriental; Magsaysay and Matanao, Davao Del Sur; Don Marcelino, Davao Occidental; Kidapawan City, Magpet, and President Roxas, Cotabato; Alabel, Sarangani; Tampakan and Tupi, South Cotabato; and General Santos City
• Intensity I (slightly perceptible) in Talibon, Bohol; Asturias and Talisay City, Cebu; Naval, Biliran; Calubian, Isabel, and Villaba, Leyte; Rosario, Northern Samar; Basey and Villareal, Samar; Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte; Molave, Zamboanga Del Sur; Banisilan and Carmen, Cotabato; Glan, Kiamba, and Malapatan, Sarangani; Norala, Polomolok, Santo Niño, Surallah, and T’boli, South Cotabato; and Lambayong and President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat.

Earthquake first struck waters near Hinatuan town in Surigao del Sur at 10:37 p.m. on Saturday, December 2. Its strength was initially reported to be magnitude 7.5. Phivolcs said it was 6.9-magnitude and then changed it to 7.4-magnitude in a bulletin issued at 3:23 a.m. on December 3.

A movement in the Philippine trench caused the 7.4-magnitude tremor that triggered tsunami alerts in the country and Japan. Phivolcs lifted the tsunami warning on Sunday morning.