A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck waters off southern Davao Occidental on Friday night, June 26, sending strong shaking across the southern provinces of Mindanao, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported.
The quake hit at 7:34 p.m. and was located 90 kilometers south, 12 degrees west of Balut Island in the island municipality of Sarangani, Davao Occidental, at coordinates 4.62 degrees north and 125.24 degrees east. It registered a shallow depth of 10 kilometers. The earthquake was tectonic in origin.
PHIVOLCS recorded the strongest reported shaking at Intensity V in Kiamba, Sarangani. Intensity IV was felt in Don Marcelino and Santa Maria in Davao Occidental, while Davao City and Matanao in Davao del Sur registered Intensity III.
Intensity II was reported in the City of Digos, Davao del Sur, and in Monkayo, Mawab, and Maragusan in Davao de Oro.
Seismographs measured the highest instrumental intensity at V in Malapatan, Sarangani, and T'boli, South Cotabato. Instrumental Intensity IV was logged in Malungon, Maitum, Kiamba, and Maasim in Sarangani, and in Tupi and the City of Koronadal in South Cotabato.
Instrumental Intensity III was recorded in Santa Maria, Davao Occidental; Tampakan, South Cotabato; and Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat. Intensity II and I readings reached Magsaysay in Davao del Sur; Norala, Banga, Santo Niño, and Surallah in South Cotabato; Lebak, Isulan, Kalamansig, and President Quirino in Sultan Kudarat; Magpet, M'lang, and President Roxas in Cotabato; and Columbio and Esperanza in Sultan Kudarat.
Aftershocks are expected. Residents in affected areas are advised to stay alert and to check homes and buildings for cracks or other damage.
This bulletin was issued as Earthquake Information No. 1. PHIVOLCS may release updated figures as monitoring continues.
Source: Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS)