Magnitude 5.9 quake rattles Davao de Oro

Photo from Phivolcs

MANILA, Philippines — A 5.9-magnitude earthquake hit Davao de Oro early morning on Friday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

The tectonic temblor struck at 2:58 a.m., and Phivolcs located its epicenter 35 kilometers southeast of New Bataan Municipality.

State seismologists initially reported that the quake was magnitude 6.2 and then revised it to 5.9.

READ: Minor earthquakes hit Davao de Oro, Batangas, Masbate

Phivolcs said the vibration was felt in varying strengths in the following areas:

• Intensity V- Caraga, Davao Oriental; New Bataan, Maragusan, and Pantukan, Davao de Oro
• Intensity IV- Nabunturan, Compostela, Monkayo, Mawab, Montevista, Laak, Mabini, and Maco, Davao de Oro
• Intensity III- City of Davao; City of Tagum, Davao del Norte
• Intensity I- City of Bislig and City of Tandag, Surigao del Sur

READ: Magnitude 5.3 earthquake rocks Davao de Oro

It also said that based on their scales, the ground movement registered the following instrumental intensities in different areas:

• Instrumental Intensity IV – Nabunturan, Davao de Oro
• Instrumental Intensity III – Malungon, Sarangani
• Instrumental Intensity II – Magpet, Alamada, Cotabato; City of Davao Matanao, Davao del Sur Don Marcelino, Davao Occidental; City of Koronadal, Tupi, and Tampakan, South Cotabato
• Instrumental Intensity I – Malaybalay,Bukidnon; M’lang and City of Kidapawan, Cotabato; City of Gingoog, Misamis Oriental; Malapatan and Kiamba, Sarangani; Polomolok, South Cotabato; City of General Santos

Phivolcs warned that damage and aftershocks are likely from this earthquake.

READ: Series of earthquakes displaces hundreds in Davao de Oro

In a previous interview with INQUIRER.net, Phivolcs Science Research Analyst Lara Guianan explained that intensity is the power of an earthquake as felt and reported by the affected population, while instrumental intensity is the quake’s strength as measured by an intensity meter or scale.

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