Magnitude 5.5 quake rocks Bayabas, Surigao del Sur - PHIVOLCS

A magnitude 5.5 earthquake hit off the coast of Bayabas, Surigao del Sur at past midnight Monday, May 24 – a few hours after a magnitude 5.0 tremor was recorded in the vicinity.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), the earthquake occurred at 12:48 a.m. Monday.

The tremor’s epicenter was at 09.16°N, 126.39°E – 024 km N 29° E of Bayabas, Surigao Del Sur.

It was tectonic in origin and had a depth focus of 20 kilometers.

Intensity IV was felt in Bayabas and Tandag City, Surigao del Sur; and in Claver, Surigao del Norte.

Intensity III was felt in Cagwait and Lingig, Surigao del Sur while Intensity II was felt in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur; and in Nabunturan, Compostela, Montevista, and Monkayo, Davao de Oro.

Meanwhile, Intensity III was recorded in Hinundayan, Southern Leyte while Intensity II was logged in San Francisco, and Sogod, Southern Leyte; Baybay City, Abuyog, and Hilongos in Leyte; Nabunturan in Davao de Oro; and in Gingoog City in Misamis Oriental.

Intensity I was recorded in San Fernando, Bukidnon and in Dulag, Leyte.

Earlier on Sunday night at 9:19 p.m., a magnitude 5.0 earthquake was recorded at 09.23°N, 126.66°E, or 50 km N 55° E of Bayabas off the coast of Bayabas, Surigao del Sur.

PHIVOLCS said no damages were expected from the earthquakes but cautioned the public of possible aftershocks. — JMA, GMA News