Magnitude 7.5 quake jolts Davao Oriental

By Ma. Cristina Arayata, Philippine News Agency

Intensity V was felt in Davao City, and intensity IV in Bislig, Surigao del Sur. (Pexels photo)

MANILA – A magnitude 7.5 earthquake jolted Davao Oriental on Friday.

The tectonic quake struck 44 km. northeast of Manay town at 9:43 a.m., the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

It was 20 km. deep.

Intensity V was felt in Davao City, and intensity IV in Bislig, Surigao del Sur.

Phivolcs also recorded the following instrumental intensities:

Intensity V – Hinunangan, Southern Leyte; City of Gingoog, Misamis Oriental; Nabunturan, Davao de Oro; City of Davao; Santa Maria, Davao Occidental; City of Kidapawan, Cotabato; Alabel, and Malungon, Sarangani; City of Koronadal, and Tupi, South Cotabato.

Intensity IV – City of Cebu; Sulat, Eastern Samar; Abuyog, Alangalang, Dulag, and Hilongos, Leyte; Hinundayan, Silago, and Sogod, Southern Leyte; Kalilangan, City of Malaybalay, and San Fernando, Bukidnon; City of Cagayan De Oro, Cagayan de Oro City City of Digos, Magsaysay, and Matanao, Davao del Sur; M’lang, and Magpet, Cotabato; Glan, Kiamba, Maitum, and Malapatan, Sarangani; Banga, Polomolok, and Tampakan, South Cotabato; City of General Santos; Columbio, and Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat; City of Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte; City of Surigao, Surigao del Norte; City of Bislig, Surigao del Sur.

Reported intensity is the traditional way of knowing the intensity based on reports by people who felt the earthquake.

Instrumental intensity, on the other hand, is measured using the intensity meter that measures ground acceleration.

Phivolcs said both aftershocks and damage are expected.

Meanwhile, Phivolcs warned of possible destructive tsunami, with first waves that could occur between 9:43 to 11:43 a.m. Friday. Waves could continue for hours.

People in the coastal areas of the following provinces are strongly advised to immediately evacuate to higher grounds or move farther inland:

–Eastern Samar
–Southern Leyte
–Leyte
–Dinagat Islands
–Surigao Del Norte
–Surigao Del Sur
–Davao Oriental

“Owners of boats in harbors, estuaries or shallow coastal water of the above-mentioned provinces should secure their boats and move away from the waterfront. Boats already at sea during this period should stay offshore in deep waters until further advised,” Phivolcs said.