A 7.4-magnitude earthquake rocked offshore of Surigao del Sur at 10:37 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2, said the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
Phivolcs traced the epicenter of the earthquake 30 kilometers (km) northeast Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.
It has a shallow depth of 25 km beneath the epicenter, it added.
The earthquake was initially measured by Phivolcs at 6.9-magnitude, but this was later revised to 7.4-magnitude.
The tremor was felt at Intensity VII (destructive) in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur; Intensity VI (very strong) in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur; and Intensity V (strong) in Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental; Nabunturan, Davao de Oro; and Davao City, Davao del Sur.
It was also “moderately strong” at Intensity IV in Duero and Garcia Hernandez in Bohol; Mandaue City, Cebu; Alangalang, Baybay City, Burauen, Dulag, Hilongos, Jaro, Javier, Julita, La Paz, Macarthur, Mahaplag, Mayorga, Palo, Pastrana, Santa Fe, Tanauan, Tacloban City, and Tolosa in Leyte; Anahawan, Bontoc, Hinunangan, Hinundayan, Liloan, Limasawa, Malitbog, Padre Burgos, San Francisco, San Juan, Silago, and Sogod in Southern Leyte; Alabel, and Malungon in Sarangani; Tupi, South Cotabato; and Surigao City, Surigao del Norte.
Meanwhile, it was felt at Intensity III (weak) in Tagbilaran City, Bohol; Leyte, Leyte; Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte; Molave, Zamboanga del Sur; San Fernando, Bukidnon; Kidapawan City, Cotabato; Glan, Kiamba, Maasim, and Malapatan in Sarangani; Banga and Koronadal City in South Cotabato; General Santos City; President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat; Datu Odin Sinsuat and Sultan Kudarat in Maguindanao; and Cotabato City; Intensity II (slightly felt) in Argao, Cebu; Calubian, Leyte; Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte; Santo Niño, South Cotabato; Esperanza and Kalamansig in Sultan Kudarat; and Intensity I (scarcely perceptible) in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato.
Phivolcs said that the earthquake was tectonic, which means it was caused by the "movement of an active fault near the area."
It also said that there may have been damage caused by the earthquake and warned the public about potential aftershocks.