A 6.0-magnitude earthquake rocked Davao de Oro and neighboring areas on Wednesday evening, Feb. 1, said the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
Phivolcs said the quake struck 12 kilometers northeast of New Bataan, Davao de Oro around 6:44 p.m.
It was felt at Intensity V (strong) New Bataan, Davao de Oro and Intensity IV (moderately strong) in City of Davao and City of Bislig, Surigao del Sur.
Meanwhile, it was felt at Intensity III (weak) in Davao City; Damulog, Kadingilan, Kalilangan, Libona, Pangantucan, and Talakag, Bukidnon; City of Cagayan De Oro; and Cagwait and Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.
It was “slightly felt” at Intensity II in President Roxas, Capiz; San Francisco, Southern Leyte; City of El Salvador, and Villanueva, Misamis Oriental; Aleosan, Antipas, Arakan, Carmen, Kabacan, City of Kidapawan, Libungan, M'lang, Magpet, Makilala, Matalam, Pikit, and Tulunan, Cotabato; City of Koronadal, South Cotabato; Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat; and City of Cotabato.
However, it was “scarcely perceptible” at Intensity I in Esperanza and City of Tacurong in Sultan Kudarat.
Phivolcs’ instruments also recorded the earthquake at Intensity V in Nabunturan, Davao de Oro; Intensity III in Kidapawan City, Alabel in Sarangani, Tupi in South Cotabato, and Bislig City; and Intensity II in Cabadbaran City, Libona and Malaybalay in Bukidnon, Don Marcelino in Davao Occidental, Abuyog in Leyte, Cagayan de Oro City, Malapatan, Glan and Kiamba in Sarangani, Norala and Tampakan in South Cotabato, General Santos City, Koronadal City, and Tandag in Surigao del Sur.
It was recorded as an Intensity I tremor in Alamada, Cotabato; Baybay and Dulag, Leyte; Maitum, Sarangani; Suralla, Santo Nino, T'Boli, and Tantangan, South Cotabato; Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte; Columbio, Sultan Kudarat; and Surigao City.
Phivolcs explained that instrumental intensities are the ground shaking intensities measured by intensity meters in and around the epicentral area, while felt intensities are ground shaking that people actually feel and report, based on its earthquake intensity scale.
It said the 6.0-magnitude earthquake was tectonic, which means it was caused by the movement of an active fault near the area.
Phivolcs advised the public to stay vigilant as aftershocks may occur.