A mild earthquake was felt in Davao Oriental shortly before noon yesterday but was not as strong as the two earthquakes in Luzon and Visayas last Monday and Tuesday.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology recorded the 4.7-magnitude earthquake around 11:43 a.m. Its epicenter was located 59 kilometers northeast of Baganga, Davao Oriental.
It was “scarcely perceptible” at Intensity 1 in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur.
Phivolcs does not expect damage to property or loss of lives due to the earthquake. Aftershocks are also not expected to occur.
Phivolcs earlier noted that Eastern Mindanao, where Surigao del Norte and Davao Occidental belong, is one of the seismically active areas in the country because of the Philippine Fault and Philippine Trench, which are the main earthquake generators that can affect the area.
In addition, there are other local faults which can be sources of small- to large-magnitude earthquakes.
The powerful earthquakes that struck Luzon and Visayas are not connected with each other as they originated from two different faults.
Philvocs said the 6.1-magnitude earthquake in Zambales was generated by an unnamed local fault while the 6.5-magnitude earthquake in Eastern Samar was due to a movement along the Philippine Trench.
Before noon yesterday, Phivolcs project assistant Alvin Garil said they have so far recorded 640 aftershocks and 70 minor aftershocks from the 6.1-magnitude and 6.5-magnitude earthquakes, respectively.
Of the 640 aftershocks, 94 were plotted from their original source, while only 10 were felt, including the 4.5-magnitude aftershock recorded early yesterday morning. Of the 70 minor aftershocks, Garil said 21 were plotted while only three were felt.
Phivolcs said aftershocks may continue to occur for several days, some of which may be felt.
Around 10 persons were reported injured by the magnitude-6.5 earthquake that hit Eastern Visayas Tuesday.
These figures, however, are still for validation, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said in its 6 a.m. update yesterday.
The update signed and released by NDRRMC Executive Director Ricardo Jalad said that 35 buildings and structures were damaged in San Julian, Eastern Samar. Eastern Samar and Northern Samar have experienced power interruption due to the earthquake.
Eight schools were damaged by the earthquake in Eastern Visayas, the Department of Education reported.
In a partial situation report released late Tuesday, DepEd said eight schools in Borongan City, Eastern Samar and Tacloban City were impaired due to the earthquake. These are Maypangdan National High School in Borongan City and Antionio Balmes National High School, Bayanihan Elementary School, Cirilio Montejo National High School, Nula-tula Elementary School, Scan National High School, Tigbao Diit Central School, and V & G National High School in Tacloban City.
Most of them had cracked ceilings, floors, and walls, broken glass windows, and other minor damages. (Ellalyn V. Ruiz, PNA, and Ina Hernando Malipot)
