Magnitude 7.2 quake strikes off Sarangani town

A magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck 53 kilometers southwest of Sarangani town, Davao Occidental at 4:23 a.m. on Saturday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported.

The quake was tectonic in origin and had a depth of focus of 57 kms.

The PHIVOLCS warned that aftershocks were likely, and damage was expected from the quake.

The tremor was felt at Intensity V in:

Davao Occidental

• General Santos City,
• Koronadal City,
• Santa Maria,
• Jose Abad Santos,
• Don Marcelino, and
• Balot Island

South Cotabato

• Polomolok, and
• Tupi

Sarangani province

• Alabel,
• Malapatan, and
• Glan

Sultan Kudarat

• Palimbag

The quake was also felt at Intensity IV in:

• Davao City,
• Cotabato City, and
• Zamboanga City.

It was at Intensity III in Cagayan De Oro City and Intensity II in Kidapawan City.

The quake was measured at Instrumental Intensities:

• Intensity V in General Santos City,
• Intensity IV in Zamboanga City, and
• Intensity III in Cotabato City.

Sea Level Disturbance advisory

The PHIVOLCS also issued a Sea Level Disturbance advisory, alerting affected areas to strong currents and the rapid rise and and fall of sea-waters.

"Based on tsunami wave models and early tide gauge records of the tsunami in the Philippine Sea, coastal  areas in Philippine provinces  fronting the Celebes Sea are expected to experience wave heights of less than one meter above the normal tide levels," the PHIVOLCS explained.

The first of these waves arrived sometime between 4:28 a.m. and 5:23 a.m.

However, this initial wave may not be the largest, and more waves were expected several hours on.

The public was thus advised to stay away from the beach and coasts fronting the Celebes Sea in the following provinces:

• Sarangani,
• Davao Occidental,
• South Cotabato,
• Davao Oriental, and
• Sultan Kudarat.

— DVM, GMA News