Aftershocks possible from DavOcc, N. Samar quakes

Intensity 3 was reported in Don Marcelino, Davao Occidental; Kiamba, Sarangani; Intensity 3 in General Santos City; Alabel and Malapatan, Sarangani, and Intensity 1 in Davao City. (File Photo: PHIVOLCS/Website)

MANILA — Aftershocks are possible from the magnitude 5.6 and magnitude 5 earthquakes that jolted Davao Occidental and Northern Samar on Saturday morning, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

The quake of tectonic origin struck 48 kilometers northeast of the municipality of Jose Abad Santos at 12:10 a.m. It had a depth of 144 kilometers.

Intensity 3 was reported in Don Marcelino, Davao Occidental; Kiamba, Sarangani; Intensity 3 in General Santos City; Alabel and Malapatan, Sarangani, and Intensity 1 in Davao City.

In Northern Samar, the quake struck 33 kilometers northeast of Pambujan at 1:28 a.m. The magnitude 5 quake had a depth of 20 kilometers.

Intensity 4 was felt in Pambujan, Catarman, Mondragon and Bobon in Northern Samar and Intensity 3 was recorded in Virac, Catanduanes; Mapanas, Northern Samar, while Intensity II was reported in Legazpi City and Sorsogon City.

Phivolcs said it is not expecting any damage from the two quakes.

Meanwhile, aftershocks were recorded in Batanes on Saturday, exactly a week after the magnitudes 5.4 and 5.9 earthquakes jolted the province, according to Phivolcs.

At 7:55 a.m., a magnitude 3.4 quake struck 28 kilometers southeast of Itbayat, where Intensity 4 was felt. It was followed by a magnitude 2.

8 quake at 8:30 a.m. and Intensity 3 was recorded in the same area.

A magnitude 2.1 quake of tectonic origin struck at 10:11 a.m. and Intensity 2 was also felt in Ibayat, the worst-hit town by the twin earthquakes that killed nine people on July 28.

Phivolcs also said it is not expecting any damage from the three aftershocks.

The Philippines is located along the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire surrounded by numerous active faults and trenches on both sides of the archipelago.