Magnitude 6.1 quake rocks Mindanao; no damage, casualties reported

TAGUM CITY, Philippines—A moderately strong earthquake with a magnitude of 6.1 rattled several provinces in Mindanao Friday morning but seismologists said it occurred too deep in the earth to cause damage or injuries.

Desiderio Cabanlit, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology chief for Davao region, said the quake struck at 9:14 a.m. and was felt in Davao del Norte to the north, Davao Oriental to the east and in the southern cities of Davao, General Santos and Koronadal.

The temblor’s epicenter, Cabanlit told the Inquirer by text message, was traced some 152 kilometers southeast of  Mati City, in Davao Oriental, at a depth of 86 kilometers. He said the quake was tectonic in origin.

The US Geological Survey put the quake’s strength at magnitude-5.5.

“Despite its magnitude, the quake was too deep to cause any damage,” Cabanlit told the Inquirer.

The seismologist said the quake was felt Intensity 4 in General Santos City;  Intensity 3 in Davao City, Mati City, and Digos City in Davao del Sur. Tagum City and Carmen in Davao del Norte and felt it Intensity 2 Koronadal in South Cotabato felt it at Intensity 2.

Although no one was reported hurt in Mati City, Mayor Michelle Rabat ordered an inspection of buildings for possible damage as Phivolcs said aftershocks are expected. With Kristine L. Alave, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Originally posted: 10:37 am | Friday, June 15th, 2012