5.7 earthquake strikes off Surigao del Sur

INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck off the coastal town of Hinatuan in Surigao del Sur on Wednesday night, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

The tectonic earthquake, which occurred at 8:31 pm, was recorded 48 kilometers northeast of Hinatuan town with a depth of focus of 10 km.

Phivolcs said this earthquake was an aftershock of a magnitude 7.4 tremor last Dec. 2.

The earthquake is likely to cause damage, according to Phivolcs.

Intensity V (strong) was reported in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur, and Intensity III (weak) was reported in Cagwait in Surigao del Sur.

Phivolcs has yet to report instrumental intensities as of posting.

The felt intensity is the ground shaking felt and reported by the people through the Phivolcs Earthquake Intensity Scale. Instrumental intensity is the ground shaking measured by the intensity meters in and around the epicentral area.

The Philippines sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” where tectonic plates collide, causing frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity.