Moderate earthquake shakes Caraga, Davao regions

TAGUM CITY—A moderately strong earthquake shook several areas of southern Mindanao before noon on Sunday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

The 5.2-magnitude quake rattled parts of Caraga and Davao regions around 11:04 a.m., and was followed by a 5-magnitude temblor several minutes later, according to Desiderio Cabanlit, Phivolcs-Davao chief.

Cabanlit said the stronger quake was traced 23 kilometers northeast of Cateel town in Davao Oriental at a depth of 53 km. The second shaking, he said, originated some 4 km from the first quake at a depth of 40 km. Both quakes were of tectonic in origin.

Intensity 4 was felt in Lingig and Hinatuan towns in Surigao del Sur while intensity 3 was experienced in Bislig, also in Surigao del Sur, said Cabanlit.

The quakes were also felt in Davao del Norte and nearby Compostela Valley province. The US Geological Survey placed the quakes’ strength at  magnitude   4.9 and 4.5.

No damage or injuries as a result of the quakes have been reported. Frinston L. Lim, Inquirer Mindanao