Magnitude 6.6 quake hits Davao Occidental

MANILA, Philippines – A magnitude 6.6 earthquake jolted Davao Occidental at 7:34 pm on Friday, June 26.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the quake’s epicenter was 90 kilometers south of Balut Island in the municipality of Sarangani with a depth of 10 km.

On-ground personnel reported the intensity of the quake in the following areas:

• Intensity V – Kiamba, Sarangani
• Intensity IV – Don Marcelino, and Santa Maria, Davao Occidental
• Intensity III – Davao City; Matanao, Davao del Sur
• Intensity II – Digos City, Davao del Sur; Monkayo, Mawab, and Maragusan, Davao de Oro

Below are the areas where the intensity of the quake was recorded using monitoring instruments:

• Intensity V – Malapatan, Sarangani; T’boli, South Cotabato
• Intensity IV – Malungon, Maitum, Kiamba, and Maasim, Sarangani; Tupi and Koronadal City, South Cotabato
• Intensity III – Santa Maria, Davao Occidental; Tampakan, South Cotabato; Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat
• Intensity II – Magsaysay, Davao del Sur; Norala, Banga, Santo Nino, and Surallah, South Cotabato; Lebak, Isulan, Kalamansig, and President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat
• Intensity I – Magpet, M’lang, and President Roxas, Cotabato; Columbio and Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat

The Phivolcs Earthquake Intensity Scale ranges from Intensity I or “scarcely perceptible” to Intensity X or “completely devastating.” The highest observed on Friday is Intensity V, which is “strong.”

Many of the areas affected by the Friday tremor were previously hit by the June 8 magnitude 7.8 Mindanao earthquake.

Based on Phivolcs, latest advisory, no aftershocks and damage are expected. – Rappler.com