(Phivolcs)
A 5.2-magnitude earthquake jolted Davao Oriental on Wednesday morning, Aug. 9, said the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
Phivolcs said the earthquake, which struck at 8:57 a.m., had its epicenter 43 kilometers (km) southeast of Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental.
It occurred at a shallow depth of 39 km beneath the epicenter.
Phivolcs initially measured the quake’s magnitude at 5.3, but later revised it to 5.2.
It was felt at Intensity IV (moderately strong) in Malita and Santa Maria in Davao Occidental and Governor Generoso and San Isidro in Davao Oriental.
Meanwhile, it was “weak” at Intensity III in Compostela, Davao de Oro; Digos City and Hagonoy in Davao del Sur; Don Marcelino and Jose Abad Santos in Davao Occidental; Glan and Malungon in Sarangani; and Tupi, South Cotabato.
It was felt at Intensity II (slightly felt) in Maragusan and Mawab in Davao de Oro; Tagum City, Davao del Norte; Kiblawan, Santa Cruz, and Davao City in Davao del Sur; Mati City and Tarragona in Davao Oriental; Arakan and Kidapawan City in Cotabato; Alabel and Malapatan in Sarangani; Tampakan, South Cotabato; and Lutayan, Sultan Kudarat; and Intensity I (scarcely perceptible) in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental; Magsaysay, Davao del Sur; and Koronadal City, General Santos City, and Polomolok in South Cotabato.
Phivolcs said the earthquake was tectonic, which means it was caused by the movement of an active fault near the area.
It warned the public to be cautious as aftershocks may occur.