Phivolcs: Magnitude 5.0 earthquake sways Surigao del Sur town

A magnitude 5.0 earthquake hits the coast of Lingig in Surigao del Sur on Monday, April 1, 2024, according to the Philippine Institute for Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs). Photo from Phivolcs

MANILA, Philippines — A magnitude 5.0 earthquake jolted the coast of Lingig in Surigao del Sur on Monday morning, state seismologists said.

In an advisory, the Philippine Institute for Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the quake occurred at 5:16 a.m. and its epicenter was located 24 kilometers (km) east of Lingig town.

The quake was tectonic in origin and had a depth of focus of 28 km, Phivolcs added.

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Phivolcs also said it recorded varying intensities of the earthquake in the following areas:

Felt Intensities

Intensity V (Strong) – Lingig and Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur
Intensity IV (Moderately Strong) – City of Bislig, Surigao del Sur
Intensity III (Weak) – Boston, Davao Oriental

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Instrumental Intensities

Intensity III (Weak) – City of Bislig, Surigao del Sur; Nabunturan, Davao de Oro
Intensity I (Scarcely perceptible) – City of Tandag, Surigao del Sur

Felt intensity reflects the actual ground shaking experienced by the affected population while instrumental intensity is determined by measurements from intensity meters in and around the epicentral area, according to Phivolcs.

State seismologists said damage is expected from this earthquake, but aftershocks are unlikely.