Magnitude 6.4 earthquake hits Sarangani, Davao Occidental

A magnitude 6.4 earthquake jolted Sarangani, Davao Occidental on Wednesday afternoon, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).

Based on PHIVOLCS’ information, the earthquake occurred at 12:13 p.m and was initially logged at magnitude 7.0.

"Initially, nasa magnitude 7.0 ito, but based on our calculations, nasa magnitude 6.4 na lamang ito," PHIVOLCS director Teresito Bacolcol told reporters.

(Initially, it's a magnitude 7.0 earthquake, but based on our calculations, the earthquake is only 6.4 magnitude.)

"Medyo lumapit doon sa Mindanao island kasi kanina (because earlier it's) more than 200 kilometers away and ngayon (now), based on our recalculations, it's around 50 kilometers from the epicenter of the 7.8 event," he added.

Bacolcol further said that the magnitude 6.4 earthquake was caused by the Cotabato Trench.

The earthquake, which was tectonic in origin, had a depth of focus of 13 kilometers.

The following intensities were also reported:

• Intensity V - Glan, SARANGANI
• Intensity IV - Kiamba, SARANGANI; CITY OF GENERAL SANTOS; Malungon and Alabel, SARANGANI; Tupi and Polomolok, SOUTH COTABATO
• Intensity III - Maasim, Maitum, and Malapatan, SARANGANI; Lake Sebu and Tampakan, SOUTH COTABATO
• Intensity II - City of Koronadal, Banga, Surallah, SOUTH COTABATO

Instrumental Intensities:

• Intensity V - Sarangani, DAVAO OCCIDENTAL; CITY OF GENERAL SANTOS
• Intensity IV - Kiamba and Malungon, SARANGANI; Tupi, SOUTH COTABATO
• Intensity III - City of Digos, DAVAO DEL SUR; Santa Maria, DAVAO OCCIDENTAL; Maasim, Maitum, and Malapatan, SARANGANI
• Intensity II - Magsaysay and Matanao, DAVAO DEL SUR; City of Kidapawan, COTABATO; Banga, Santo Niño, and Surallah, SOUTH COTABATO; Bagumbayan, Isulan, and President Quirino, SULTAN KUDARAT
• Intensity I - Tantangan, SOUTH COTABATO; Columbio, Esperanza, Kalamansig, and Lebak, SULTAN KUDARAT

Aftershocks are expected from the seismic activity, according to PHIVOLCS.

Aftershock of June 8 earthquake

Bacolcol said PHIVOLCS considers the magnitude 6.4 earthquake as an aftershock of the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Maasim, Sarangani on June 8.

"We consider this as an aftershock of the magnitude 7.8 earthquake," Bacolcol said.

"By definition, aftershock is one degree lower than the main shock. So ang magnitude 7.8 earthquake, ang maximum aftershock na pwedeng natin na ma-generate ay magnitude 6.8," the PHVOLCS director explained.

PHIVOLCS also announced that there is no destructive tsunami from a magnitude 6.4 earthquake.

"Based sa sea level gauge namin, 20 cm [tsunami] pero maliit lang 'yun (but its small)," Bacolcol said. —AOL, GMA News