2 earthquakes jolt Surigao del Sur, says Phivolcs

A magnitude 5.3 earthquake hits Cagwait, Surigao del Sur early morning on Sunday, December 24, 2023. Photo from Phivolcs.

MANILA, Philippines — Two earthquakes were recorded off Surigao del Sur on Sunday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

The first temblor was at magnitude 5.3 which hit waters near Cagwait town at 12:38 a.m. It was tectonic in origin and had a one-kilometer depth of focus.

According to Phivolcs, its scales registered the quake’s strength at Instrumental Intensity I in Cabadbaran City in Agusan del Norte, San Fernando in Bukidnon, Nabunturan in Davao de Oro, and Tandag City in Surigao del Sur.

The second earthquake occurred in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. Phivolcs explained that it was an aftershock of the magnitude 7.4 temblor that struck the area last December 2.

Phivolcs said the magnitude 3.5 quake happened at 3:58 a.m. It added that the earthquake was also tectonic in origin and had a 12-kilometer depth of focus.

Bislig City in Surigao del Sur felt the tremor at Intensity II while state seismologists recorded it at Instrumental Intensity I.

In INQUIRER.net’s previous interview with Phivolcs Science Research Analyst Lara Guianan, she explained that an earthquake intensity is based on the ground motion actually felt and reported by people in the affected area, while an instrumental intensity is the quake’s strength as measured by an intensity scale.

Phivolcs noted that both earthquakes are not expected to cause damage or aftershocks.

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