2023 YEAR IN REVIEW

Mindanao hit by quakes, Mayon erupts in 2023

Several areas in Mindanao were hit by strong and destructive earthquakes, while Mayon Volcano remained under observation throughout 2023.

According to a 24 Oras yearender report on Tuesday, several earthquakes shook the country starting with an earthquake in Saranggani last January, which was followed by earthquakes in Davao de Oro and Masbate in February.

And then Mindanao was hit by back-to-back quakes towards the latter part of the year.

Another earthquake in Saranggani in November resulted in 11 deaths and up to P2 million in damage.

After only a week, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake reaching up to intensity VII occurred in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur on December 2.

Another earthquake in Cagwait shortly followed before the province could recover, causing three deaths and injuring around 70 residents.

“Posible na ibang source naman ang gumalaw. Philippine Trench [din], but [a] different segment,” said PhiVolcs Science Research Specialist Bhenz Rodriguez.

(It’s possible that a different section moved. It’s also the Philippine Trench, but a different segment)

Meanwhile, the alert on Mayon Volcano was raised to Level 3 with several Albay localities declaring a state of calamity following an eruption last June.

The alert was lowered to Level 2 in December, but the volcano remained active and under observation due to the threat of another eruption. — DVM, GMA Integrated News