Magnitude 6.8 earthquake hits Surigao del Sur

A magnitude 6.8 earthquake was reported off the coast of Cagwait, Surigao del Sur early Monday morning, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said.

In its report issued at 05:40 a.m., the PHIVOLCS said the earthquake occurred at 03:49 a.m. It was tectonic in origin and had a depth of focus of 1 kilometer.

Intensity V was reported in Cagwait, Surigao del Sur.

Intensity IV was felt in Tarragona, Davao Oriental and Tandag City in Surigao del Sur.

Intensity III was also felt in Iligan City; Cagayan de Oro City;  Banaybanay, Lupon, and Mati City in Davao Oriental.

The instrumental intensities were felt in the following areas:

• Intensity IV - Abuyog, LEYTE; Hinunangan, SOUTHERN LEYTE; City of Gingoog, MISAMIS ORIENTAL; Nabunturan, DAVAO DE ORO; City of Surigao, SURIGAO DEL NORTE; City of Bislig, and City of Tandag, SURIGAO DEL SUR
• Intensity III - Quinapondan, EASTERN SAMAR; Dulag, Hilongos, Kananga, and Mahaplag, LEYTE; Sogod, SOUTHERN LEYTE; Libona, City of Malaybalay, and San Fernando, BUKIDNON; Magsaysay, MISAMIS ORIENTAL; CITY OF
• CAGAYAN DE ORO; City of Digos, DAVAO DEL SUR; CITY OF DAVAO; Malungon, SARANGANI; Columbio, SULTAN KUDARAT; City of Cabadbaran, AGUSAN DEL NORTE
• Intensity II - Argao, and Danao City, CEBU; Can-Avid, EASTERN SAMAR; Alangalang, Albuera, Burauen, Carigara, Javier, Leyte, and Palo, LEYTE; ORMOC CITY; City of Catbalogan, SAMAR; Malitbog, and San Juan, SOUTHERN LEYTE;
• City of Dapitan, ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE; Kadingilan, and Maramag, BUKIDNON; Initao, MISAMIS ORIENTAL; Magsaysay, and Matanao, DAVAO DEL SUR; Don Marcelino, DAVAO OCCIDENTAL; City of Kidapawan, Magpet, and
• President Roxas, COTABATO; Alabel, SARANGANI; Tampakan, and Tupi, SOUTH COTABATO; CITY OF GENERAL SANTOS
• Intensity I - Talibon, BOHOL; Asturias, and City of Talisay, CEBU; Naval, BILIRAN; Calubian, Isabel, and Villaba, LEYTE; Rosario, NORTHERN SAMAR; Basey, and Villareal, SAMAR; Padre Burgos, SOUTHERN LEYTE; Molave, ZAMBOANGA
• DEL SUR; Banisilan, and Carmen, COTABATO; Glan, Kiamba, and Malapatan, SARANGANI; Norala, Polomolok, Santo Niño, Surallah, and T'Boli, SOUTH COTABATO; Lambayong, and President Quirino, SULTAN KUDARAT

PHIVOLCS said there is no damage expected from the earthquake although aftershocks are likely.

As of 8 a.m., PHIVOLCS has recorded 54 aftershocks with strength ranging up to magnitude 5.6

On Saturday evening, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off the coast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, PHIVOLCS said. One person was reported killed.

As of 5 a.m. on Monday, PHIVOLCS has recorded 1,583 aftershocks with magnitudes ranging up to 6.6. —Joviland Rita/KBK/RSJ, GMA Integrated News