A 4.8-magnitude earthquake has jolted Sultan Kudarat on Monday morning, March 1.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recorded the earthquake at 6:51 a.m. and traced its origin 7 kilometers southwest of Columbio, Sultan Kudarat.
Residents felt the earthquake at Intensity IV as a "moderately strong" shaking in Columbio and Pres. Quirino, Sultan Kudarat.
It was felt as a "weak" tremor at Intensity III in Polomolok, Tampakan and Tupi, South Cotabato; Koronadal City; Malungon, Sarangani; and Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat.
It was a "slight shaking" at Intensity II in General Santos City; Kidapawan City; Makilala, Tulunan, M'lang and Pres. Roxas, Cotabato; and Tantangan and Norala, South Cotabato, and "scarcely perceptible" at Intensity I in Alabel, Sarangani.
Phivolcs said the quake was tectonic in origin, which means the tremor was caused by the movement of an active fault in the area.
Moreover, it was shallow at a depth of 8 kilometers thus the strong shaking.
Phivolcs said aftershocks are unlikely to occur.