Surigao del Sur hit by series of earthquakes

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) says that a magnitude 5.3 quake hit waters off Cagwait municipality in Surigao del Sur on Thursday morning, February 29, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Phivolcs)

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said that it recorded a series of earthquakes in Surigao del Sur province on Thursday morning. It added that the series of tremors were all caused by the movement of the Philippine Trench. The quakes had shallow depths ranging from 9 to 17 kilometers with no major damage reported so far. The first occurred at 8:10 a.m. with a magnitude of 5.3 and a depth of 9 km. Its epicenter was located 83 km south of the municipality of Cagwait. The quake was felt at Intensity 5 in Hinatuan municipality. At 8:23 a.m., a second magnitude 5.4 quake struck 77 km southeast of Cagwait at a depth of 15 km. It was felt at Intensity 5 in Hinatuan and Intensity 4 in Bislig City. At 9:40 a.m., a magnitude 4.3 quake was recorded 79 km east of Cagwait at a depth of 17 km. Just before 4 a.m., a magnitude 4.1 quake had also rattled Cagwait with the epicenter located 71 km southeast of Marihatag at a depth of 17 km. —RUSSEL LORETO