Magnitude 7.1 quake jolts Sultan Kudarat

A magnitude 7.1 earthquake hit the municipality of Palimbang in Sultan Kudarat on Thursday morning, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).

The earthquake, which was tectonic in origin, occurred at 10:13 a.m.

An update from PHIVOLCS noted that the location of the quake was exactly at 05.75°N, 123.08°E - 133 km S 67° W of Palimbang. 

The institute earlier reported that the earthquake was magnitude 6.5, and had a depth of focus of 651 kilometers.

The following intensities were reported: 

Intensity IV - Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental

Intensity III - City of Mati, Davao Oriental; Glan, Sarangani

Intensity II - Maragusan, Davao de Oro; City of Tagum, Davao del Norte; Libungan, and Tulunan, Cotabato; Kiamba, Maitum, and Malapatan, Sarangani; City of Koronadal, South Cotabato; City of General Santos

Intensity I - City of Davao; Tantangan, South Cotabato; Lebak, Sultan Kudarat

These areas also recorded the following instrumental intensities:

Intensity III - Don Marcelino, and Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental; Glan, and Malungon, Sarangani

Intensity II - City of Tagum, Davao del Norte; City of Digos, Davao del Sur; Matalam, Cotabato; City of Cotabato

Intensity I - Nabunturan, Davao de Oro; City of Davao; City of Kidapawan, Cotabato; Maitum, Sarangani; T'boli, and Tampakan, South Cotabato; Bagumbayan, Esperanza, Isulan, Kalamansig, Lambayong, and Lebak, Sultan Kudarat; City of Bislig, Surigao Del Sur

No damage was expected, but aftershocks may occur following the earthquake.

--VAL, GMA Integrated News