The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has so far recorded over 700 aftershocks following the magnitude 6.0 earthquake that struck Compostela, Davao de Oro on Feb. 1.
As of 8 a.m., Friday, Feb. 3, Phivolcs had detected 745 aftershocks, with magnitudes ranging from 1.3 to 3.6.
Of the recorded earthquakes, 70 earthquakes have been plotted by three or more stations, while only one tremor was felt.
The 6.0-magnitude earthquake, which occurred at 6:44 p.m. on Feb. 1, has an epicenter located 2 kilometers southwest of Compostela, Davao de Oro and an estimated depth of 17 kilometers.
According to Phivolcs, “strong to great” earthquakes have affected Davao de Oro and neighboring areas in the past.
“At least nine strong to great earthquakes ranging from magnitude 6.0 to 8.3 occurred in Davao de Oro and vicinity from 1891 to present based on the SEASEE Report and Phivolcs Earthquake Catalog,” Phivolcs said.
“The most damaging earthquake that affected Davao de Oro was the 21 June 1893 magnitude 7.3 Monkayo earthquake along the Philippine Fault, which produced numerous landslides, liquefaction impacts, and structural damages. This earthquake generated long and wide cracks that may be attributed to a surface rupture along the Central Compostela Valley segment of the Philippine Fault. Based on historical accounts, the earthquake was felt at a maximum intensity of VII (Destructive) in Monkayo,” it added.