Phivolcs: Magnitude-5.9 quake hits Surigao area, damage and aftershocks expected

Published March 16, 2012 5:02pm

A magnitude-5.9 quake jolted the Dinagat Islands area between the Visayas and Mindanao areas Friday afternoon, with state seismologists indicating the possibility of damage and aftershocks.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the quake, which came more than a month after a magnitude-6.9 quake hit the Negros area last Feb. 6, was tectonic and was recorded at 3:58 p.m.

It estimated the epicenter at 2 km southwest of Dinagat between Eastern Visayas and Northeast Mindanao.

The United States Geological Survey measured the quake at magnitude 5.9. It said the epicenter was:

25 km north-northeast of Surigao;
115 km north of Butuan;
116 km south of Guiuan, Samar;
716 km southeast of Manila.

Phivolcs said the quake was felt at:

Intensity VI (Very Strong): Surigao City;
Intensity V (Strong): General Luna, Surigao del Norte; Basilisa, Dinagat; San Ricardo, Southern Leyte;
Intensity IV (Moderately Strong): Carrascal, Surigao del Sur;
Intensity III (Weak): Tolosa and Tacloban Leyte; Davao City; Bislig City; Borongan, Oras, Dolores, Eastern Samar;
Intensity II (Slightly Felt): Cebu City; Sulat, Eastern Samar; and
Intensity I (Scarcely Perceptible): Hibok-Hibok, Camiguin.

Phivolcs described signs of an Intensity VI quake as:

Many people are frightened
Many run outdoors
Some people lose their balance
Motorists feel like driving on flat tires
Heavy objects or furniture move or may be shifted
Small church bells may ring
Wall plaster may crack
Very old or poorly built houses and man-made structures are slightly damaged though well-built structures are not affected
Limited rockfalls and rolling boulders occur in hilly to mountainous areas and escarpments
Trees are noticeably shaken.

Phivolcs said damage and aftershocks may be expected. — RSJ, GMA News

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