Two earthquakes jolt waters off Sarangani

Two earthquakes rattled waters off Balut Island in Sarangani, Davao Occidental late Friday night, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported.

The first and stronger tremor, a magnitude 6.8 tectonic earthquake, struck at 10:58 p.m. Its epicenter was located roughly 315 kilometers south 40 degrees east of Balut Island, at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers.

Instrumental readings showed Intensity II in Malungon and Kiamba in Sarangani; Koronadal City and Tupi in South Cotabato; and Palimbang in Sultan Kudarat.

Weaker tremors (Intensity I) were felt in Magsaysay in Davao del Sur; Sta. Maria in Davao Occidental; Nabunturan in Davao de Oro; Maitum and Malapatan in Sarangani; Banga, Tampakan, T’Boli, Surallah, and Santo Niño in South Cotabato; and General Santos City.

Shortly after, at 11:15 p.m., a smaller magnitude 5.2 earthquake occurred nearby, with its epicenter about 350 kilometers south 38 degrees east of Balut Island, also at a depth of 10 kilometers.

PHIVOLCS said neither quake is expected to cause damage, and no aftershocks are anticipated.—MCG, GMA Integrated News