MAGNITUDE 6.8 QUAKE HITS MINDANAO

A MAGNITUDE 6.8 earthquake on Friday struck off Southern Mindanao, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

Phivolcs said the quake initially registered at magnitude 7.2.

The tremor, which was tectonic in origin, hit the waters off Sarangani, Davao Occidental around 4:14 p.m. Friday.

It had a depth of 72 kms. and 34 kms northwest of Sarangani Island.

Intensity 5 was felt in Matanao, Davao del Sur; Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental; Maasim, and Malapatan, Sarangani; Banga, Lake Sebu, Polomolok, and Tampakan, South Cotabato

Intensity 4 in Magsaysay, Davao del Sur, Davao City; Don Marcelino, Davao Occidental; City of Kidapawan, Cotabato; Kiamba, SaranganiI; Norala, and Tantangan, South Cotabato; Bagumbayan, Columbio, Esperanza, Isulan, Kalamansig, Lebak, and President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat

Intensity 3 was recorded in Zamboanga City; Nabunturan, Davao de Oro; M’lang, Cotabato; and Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat

Intensity 2 in Molave, Zamboanga del Sur; City of Malaybalay, Bukidnon; Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte; Balingasag, and Initao, Misamis Oriental; Cagayan de Oro City; and Carmen, and Pikit, Cotabato.

Intensity 1 shook San Lorenzo, Guimaras; City of Talisay, Cebu; City of Dapitan, Liloy, and Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte; Talakag, Bukidnon; Tubod, Lanao del Norte; Alamada, Cotabato; City of Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte; and City of Bislig, Surigao del Sur

Phivolcs said damages and aftershocks are expected but assured there was no tsunami threat from the said earthquake.

However, Phivlcs explained that earthquakes of this size may generate unusual sea level disturbances that may be observed along the coasts near the quake’s epicenter of Davao Occidental,.