Photo from Phivolcs
TAGUM CITY — A moderately strong earthquake rattled New Bataan town, Davao de Oro on Thursday, state seismologists said.
No damage was expected but there could be aftershocks following the magnitude 5.1 quake that struck at 11:33 a.m., the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.
Phivolcs estimated the tectonic quake’s epicenter at one kilometer southeast of New Bataan with a depth of just eight kilometers.
It was largely felt in Davao de Oro and Davao del Norte provinces.
READ:OCD: Over 2,900 families affected, 60 injured in Davao de Oro earthquake
Intensity 5 shaking was reported in the towns of Pantukan, Mabini, and Maco of Davao de Oro.
People rushed out of homes and offices as Intensity 4 shaking was felt in this city. Intensity 4 was also reported in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur.
The Philippines is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire where earthquakes and volcanic activity are common.
Last year, New Bataan was also struck by strong tremors, with the most powerful at magnitude 6.0 last February, which caused significant damage and many injuries.