Magnitude 5.5 quake hits Surigao del Sur

July 13, 2019

A magnitude 5.5 earthquake hit the province of Surigao del Sur on Saturday morning.

In its bulletin, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the earthquake’s epicenter was monitored at nine kilometers southeast of Carrascal, Surigao del Sur around 4:42 am.

Mike Abitang, project assistant of Phivolcs seismology department, said the earthquake was possibly caused by movement of a local fault.

He said the tectonic earthquake, located off shore has a depth of five kilometers.

Based on Phivolcs reported intensities, Intensity Five was recorded in Carrascal, Surigao del Sur and in Butuan City while Intensity Four in Surigao City; Tandag City; Gingoog City and Magsaysay, Misamis Oriental; Tandag City; Talacogon, Agusan Del Sur, Intensity Three over Cagwait, Surigao Del Sur; Balingoan, Salay, Balingasag, Jasaan and Villanueva, Misamis Oriental; Cagayan De Oro city and Intensity Two in Mambajao, Camiguin.

Phivolcs instrumental intensities were Intensity Four in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental,  Intensity II over Cebu City; Borongan City and Intensity One in Bislig City; Cagayan de Oro City.

The quake bulletin noted damage and aftershocks were expected because of the tremor. Robina Asido/DMS