Magnitude 7.3 quake jolts Davao Occidental —PHIVOLCS

A magnitude 7.3 quake jolted Sarangani, Davao Occidental on Wednesday afternoon, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported.

Based on its earthquake bulletin, the epicenter of the quake was 352 km S 30° E of Sarangani, Davao Occidental. It occurred at 2:06 p.m.

The tectonic earthquake also had a depth of 64 kilometer, according to PHIVOLCS.

The agency said instrumental intensities were reported in the following:

• Intensity II - Don Marcelino, Davao Occidental; Nabunturan, Davao de Oro; Glan and Kiamba, Sarangani; General Santos City, Tupi, Santo Niño, Koronadal City, and T'Boli, South Cotabato; and
• Intensity I - Kidapawan City, Cotabato; Maitum and Maasim, Sarangani; Tantangan, Lake Sebu, Tampakan, Suralla, and Norala, South Cotabato; Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur.

PHIVOLCS said damage and aftershocks are expected following the quake. 

No tsunami threat

In a separate advisory, the agency said no tsunami threat was reported after the strong quake.

“Based on data provided by the Sea Level Monitoring Station in Mati City, Davao Oriental, no sea level changes were monitored,” it said.

In an interview with Super Radyo dzBB, PHIVOLCS seismologist John Leri Deximo said they are still monitoring for possible aftershocks.

“Sa ngayon po patuloy po nating minomonitor kung magkakaroon po ng aftershocks po itong magnitude 7.3 sa may Sarangani,” he said.

[We are still monitoring the situation if aftershocks will occur.]

Diego Agustin Mariano, Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Information Officer III, said no damage and casualties so far were reported since the quake occurred 352 kilometers away in the country’s landmass.

“Sa ngayon po wala pa pong damage o casualties na natatanggap na report,” he told Super Radyo dzBB. 

In a separate advisory, the OCD said there was no reported damage and casualties due to the quake.

It added that affected OCD regional offices and local disaster offices are still coordinating and monitoring possible effects of the earthquake. —Richa Noriega and Anna Felicia Bajo/KG/RSJ, GMA Integrated News