Magnitude 5.2 quake jolts northeastern Mindanao

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – A magnitude 5.2 earthquake jolted the northeastern part of Mindanao on Saturday evening, November 3, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said.

Phivolcs reported that the quake, which struck at 7:12 pm some 188 kilometers northeast of Tandag City, provincial capital of Surigao del Sur, had a depth of 43 kilometers.

The quake was recorded hours after a strong magnitude 6.5 quake rattled Tandag City on Saturday morning followed by a series of aftershocks.

Phivolcs said the quake struck at 2:17 am about 20 kilometers northeast of Tandag City with a depth of 78 kilometers.

It was felt at intensity 5 in Tandag City, intensity 4 in Surigao City and in Dapa, Surigao del Norte, and intensity 3 in Bislig City and Butuan City.

Earlier at 2:54 pm, a magnitude 3.5 quake occured 17 kilometers Northeast of Tandag with a depth of 16 kilometers.

A series of milder tremors were felt in the region.

A magnitude 2.8 was recorded at around 3:48 am some 37 kilometers northeast of Burgos, Surigao del Norte with a depth of 56 kilometers.

Phivolcs recorded another magnitude 2.7 tremor at around 3:55  am about 24 kilometers northeast of Tandag City with a depth of 19 kilometers.

By 6:13 am, a magnitude 4.6 quake struck 20 kilometers northeast of Tandag with a depth of 12 kilometers.

Phivolcs said that damages were expected but no damages and casualties were reported as of posting.

The Philippines is one of the countries that are highly vulnerable to disasters including earthquakes. It is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire in the Pacific Ocean where active volcanoes and unstable ocean trenches can be found. 

A strong 6.1-magnitude earthquake hit the southern Philippine island of Mindanao early Saturday, November 3. – Rappler.com