Phivolcs: Magnitude-5.9 quake hits Davao area

A magnitude-5.9 quake jolted the Davao area in Mindanao Friday morning, but state seismologists said no damage was expected due to the deep location of the tremor. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the quake was "moderately strong" and was recorded at 9:14 a.m. "'Yung magnitude nito (initially) 6.1 pero 86 kilometers sa ilalim ng lupa," Phivolcs director Renato Solidum Jr. said in an interview on dzBB radio. A Phivolcs bulletin issued shortly after the interview said the quake was measured at magnitude 5.9, with the epicenter at 145 km southeast of Mati, Davao Oriental. According to the agency, the quake was felt at:

No damage or aftershock was expected. "'Pag malalim hindi tayo mag-e-expect ng damage dito (If the quake was deep down, we don't expect damage)," Solidum said. The United States Geological Survey measured the quake at magnitude 5.5. It said the quake's epicenter was estimated at: Quake hits Zamboanga area Meanwhile, a magnitude-4.5 quake jolted the Zamboanga del Norte area in Mindanao Thursday night, with state seismologists warning of possible aftershocks. The Phivolcs said the quake was recorded at 7:27 p.m. and was tectonic in origin. In its bulletin, it said the quake's epicenter was traced to four km northwest of Liloy town in Zamboanga del Norte. Phivolcs said the quake was felt at: Under Phivolcs' earthquake intensity scale, an Intensity V quake is "Strong" and generally felt by most people indoors and outdoors. "Many sleeping people are awakened. Some are frightened, some run outdoors. Strong shaking and rocking (is) felt throughout (a) building. Hanging objects swing violently. Dining utensils clatter and clink; some are broken. Small, light and unstable objects may fall or overturn. Liquids spill from filled open containers. Standing vehicles rock noticeably," it said. — LBG, GMA News