Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 7) — A magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck the town of New Bataan in Davao de Oro Tuesday afternoon, the state seismologists reported.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the earthquake of tectonic origin hit 8 kilometers south of New Bataan at 2:02 p.m. It had a depth of 10 km.
Phivolcs initially reported the tremor’s magnitude at 6.2 before downgrading it later to 5.9.Phivolcs reported the following intensities:
Intensity V – Maco, Maragusan, Nabunturan, New Bataan, and Pantukan in Davao de Oro
Intensity IV – Monkayo, Davao de Oro; City of Tagum, Davao del Norte; City of Bislig, Surigao del Sur
Intensity III – Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur; City of Davao; City of Mati, Davao OrientalIntensity II – City of Cagayan de Oro; Antipas, Carmen, and City of Kidapawan in Cotabato; Columbio, Sultan KudaratIntensity I – Aleosan, Cotabato; Esperanza, Lutayan, and President Quirino in Sultan Kudarat
The state seismologists said damage and aftershocks are expected.
Meanwhile, another earthquake hit New Bataan after more than two hours. This time, a magnitude 5.6 earthquake was recorded at 4:47 p.m.
The latest tremor jolted 11 km south of the town with a depth of 11 km.Phivolcs also reported the following intensities:Intensity IV – Monkayo, Davao de Oro; City of Tagum, Davao del NorteIntensity III – City of Davao; San Isidro, Sto. Tomas, and City of Panabo, Davao del NorteIntensity II – Don Marcelino, Davao OccidentalIntensity I – Magpet, Cotabato
