Magnitude 7.1 quake strikes Davao region

A magnitude-7.1 earthquake jolted the Davao Oriental before noon on Saturday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said.

But earlier, PHIVOLCS head Director Renato Solidum said the quake was measured between 7.1 to 7.2.

BREAKING: Davao Region, niyanig ng magnitude 7.2 na lindol, ayon kay @phivolcs_dost Dir. Renato Solidum. pic.twitter.com/RdQXZ4RYg2

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) December 29, 2018

Citing initial information on the quake, PHIVOLCS head Director Renato Solidum said the quake struck in the ocean area with a depth of 49 kilometers.

PHIVOLCS is still monitoring the movement of the ocean as the quake's epicenter was traced to a deep part of the ocean.

The quake with tectonic origin struck at 11:35 a.m. 

In an interview with Super Radyo dzBB, Solidum also said the quake was felt at Intensity IV in General Santos City, II in Kidapawan and Davao area.

Solidum advised residents in coastal areas in Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur, and Sarangani province to monitor possible movements of the sea due to the quake.

While no damage has been reported as of posting, PHIVOLCS said aftershocks are expected.

In a later advisory, PHIVOLCS hoisted a tsunami alert that would last until 2 p.m.

#TsunamiPH #Minorsealeveldisturbances
Tsunami Information No. 1
Date and Time: 2018 Dec 29 - 11:39 AM
Magnitude= 7.1
Depth= 49
Location= 05.68 N, 127.17 E Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental... https://t.co/MGQCNAgOuz

— PHIVOLCS-DOST (@phivolcs_dost) December 29, 2018

PHIVOLCS advised residents in the following 11 areas in Mindanao to move away from the coast from 12 to 2 p.m. until the threat has passed:

• Compostela Valley
• Davao Del Norte
• Davao Del Sur
• Davao Oriental
• Davao City
• Sarangani
• South Cotabato
• Agusan Del Norte
• Agusan Del Sur
• Surigao Del Norte
• Surigao Del Sur

The tsunami alert was eventually lifted at 3 p.m. —Ted Cordero/LBG/KG, GMA News