4 moderate quakes jolt Mindanao

PHIVOLCS seismograph. File photo: PhilNews

MANILA — Mild earthquakes shook the provinces of Davao Occidental and Surigao Del Sur on Monday, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

In its bulletin, Phivolcs said the first quake with a magnitude of 5.1 occurred at 3:01 a.m.

The epicenter of the quake was traced some 269 kilometers southeast of Sarangani in Davao Occidental.

The quake, which was tectonic in origin, had a depth of 16 kilometers. Aftershock are expected from this tremor, Phivolcs said.

The second quake with magnitude 4.5 occurred around 3:21 a.m. with its epicenter traced some 95 kilometers northeast of Cortes in Surigao del Sur.

The quake, which was tectonic in origin, had a depth of one kilometer.

On the other hand, the third tremor with a magnitude of 4.4 occurred at 8:26 a.m. with its epicenter estimated 98 kilometers northeast of Cagwait in Surigao Del Sur.

Phivolcs said the temblor, which was tectonic in origin, had a shallow depth of 40 kilometers.

The fourth tremor with a magnitude of 5.0 was recorded in Surigao del Sur around 9:04 a.m. and its epicenter was located at 92 kilometers northeast of Cortes and had a shallow depth of two kilometers.

Meanwhile, Phivolcs said there was no casualty or damage reported from the four tremors.

It added that no aftershocks are expected from the three quakes.

The Philippines lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where 20 to 25 earthquakes per day — mostly imperceptible — are common, Phivolcs said.