MORE THAN 1K AFTERSHOCKS SHAKE SURIGAO DEL SUR AFTER 7.4 QUAKE

THE Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said it recorded nearly 1,700 aftershocks as of Monday morning (December 4, 2023) following a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake that hit off Hinatuan in Surigao del Sur.

Phivolcs logged 1,692 aftershocks, with magnitudes 1.4 to 6.6, in the province as of 8 a.m. Monday.

Meanwhile, it also recorded a 6.8 strong quake in Surigao del Sur also on Monday.

The Agency said the magnitude 6.8 quake struck 67 kilometers northeast of Cagwait town at 3:49 a.m. Monday, with a depth of 1 kilometer.

Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol said the tremor is not an aftershock of the magnitude 7.4 offshore earthquake that jolted Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur late Saturday.

“It’s too big to be an aftershock. It is also farther north from the clustering of the magnitude 7.4 aftershocks,” Bacolcol said.

According to Bacolcol, the 6.8 magnitude quake was generated by the movement of the Philippine Trench.

Intensity 5 was recorded in Cagwait while intensity 4 was felt in Tarragona, Davao Oriental; and City of Tandag, Surigao del Sur.

Intensity 3 hit Iligan City; Cagayan de Oro City; Banaybanay, Lupon and Mati City, Davao Oriental.

No one was reported injured in the 6.8 earthquake.