A MAGNITUDE 6.4 earthquake rocked Davao Occidental on Wednesday night, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported.
In a radio interview yesterday, Phivolcs director Teresito Bacolcol said the agency has not monitored any damage from the tremor.
The quake, which was tectonic in origin, occurred at 7:21 p.m.. Its epicenter was some 84 km southeast of Sarangani Island in Sarangani town in Davao Occidental. It had a depth of 135 km.
The shaking was felt at Intensify V Intensity V in Digos City in Davao del Sur; Don Marcelino, Jose Abad Santos, Malita, Santa Maria, and Sarangani in Davao Occidental; Glan, Kiamba, Maitum, and Malungon in Sarangani province.
It was also felt at Intensity IV in Pantukan, Davao de Oro; Tagum City in Davao del Norte; Matanao in Davao del Sur; Davao City, Manay, and City of Mati in Davao Oriental; Alabel, Maasim, and Malapatan in Sarangani province; General Santos City, Koronadal City, Polomolok, T’Boli, and Tupi, in South Cotabato; and Esperanza, Lebak, Lutayan, and Palimbang in Sultan Kudarat.
Several other areas felt the quake at Intensity III.
“We did not receive any report of damage. We are not expecting any damage because it’s very deep,” said Bacolcol.
While Intensity 5 shaking is considered “strong,” Bacolcol said, “it cannot cause damage to infrastructure.”
“Generally, Intensity 5 is felt by most people, indoor and outdoor. It can wake people who are asleep and hanging objects would swing violently,” he added.
Bacolcol said Phivolcs has recorded 14 aftershocks, ranging from magnitude 2.4 to 3.2, as of yesterday morning.
