TWO strong quakes, three hours apart, jolted Davao de Oro Tuesday, the Philippine Institute for Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.
Phivolcs considers both earthquakes separate events, not aftershocks from the strong earthquake that shook the same province on February 1.
“We are looking at a series of earthquakes in the area, similar to what happened in Cotabato in October 2019,” a seismologist in Phivolcs told reporters.
Phivolcs is expecting damage from both quakes due to the high magnitude and shallowness of the depth of focus.
1st quake
The first earthquake occurred 2 pm Tuesday, March 7, with a magnitude of 5.9, according to Phivolcs.
The epicenter was traced east of New Bataan in Davao de Oro. Its origin is tectonic and depth of focus is 10 kilometers.
Intensity 5 was felt in Maco, Maragusan, Nabunturan, New Bataan, and Pantukan in Davao de Oro.
Phivolcs qualifies an earth’s tremor as “strong” or at Intensity 5 if the quake was generally felt by most people indoors and outdoors. Those people who are sleeping are awakened.
“Strong shaking and rocking felt throughout the building. Hanging objects swing violently. Dining utensils clatter and clink; some are broken. Standing vehicles rock noticeably,” the Phivolcs said.
Intensity 4 or “moderately strong” quake was felt in Monkayo, Davao de Oro; Tagum City in Davao del Norte; and Bislig city in Surigao del Sur.
Other areas which experience “weak quake” or Intensity 3 are:
- Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur
- Davao City
- Mati, Davao Oriental
Class suspensions
Davao de Oro and Davao del Norte suspended work and classes in all levels following the quake, according to a report from the National Disaster and Coordinating Council,
Davao de Oro announced suspension it around 2:42 pm.
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An hour later, around 3:51, Davao del Norte also announced class and work suspension.
Landslides
Two landslides occurred in Maragusan town in Davao De Oro along Luzvimin-Katipunan National Highway and Talian-Caraga Road. Both roads are now unpassable to all types of vehicles.
Jeffrey Carillo Diez, who works at the Department of Public Works and Highway, was able to film a landslide in New Bataan.
In a travel advisory, DPWH Region XI said the condition of the following roads in Davao de Oro:
1. Nabunturan- Mainit Park Road: Passable to all types of vehicles.
2. Nabunturan- Maragusan Road (Manat- Bdry. Magangit checkpoint): Passable to all types of vehicles.
3. Montevista- Compostela- New Bataan- Mati Bdry. Road ( Lanipao to Araibo Bdry.Pantukan, DDO): Passable to all types of vehicles with precaution at Lanipao Section due to threats of landslide. Equipment on standby.
4. Montevista-Compostela-Mati Road: NOT PASSABLE.
Motorists are advised to take Compostela – Gabi – Magangit Road and New Bataan – Panag – Camanlangan Road for the time being.
“Motorists are advised to take safety precautions while driving on the said roads. Stay safe,” the DPWH said.
Power supply was cut off in Nabunturan in Davao de Oro.
| Date/Time | 07 Mar 2023 – 02:02:30 PM |
| Location | 07.50°N, 126.20°E – 008 km S 52° E of New Bataan (Davao De Oro) |
| Depth of Focus (Km) | 010 |
| Origin | TECTONIC |
| Magnitude | Mw 5.9 |
2nd quake
Before 5 pm, another Magnitude 5.6 quake was felt, a few kilometers away from the first epicenter in New Bataan in Davao de Oro. It is also tectonic in origin and depth of focus is 11 kilometers.
Residents of Monkayo, Davao de Oro and Tagum City in Davao del Norte felt “moderately strong” quake or Intensity 4.
Under Intensity 4, vibration is felt like a passing of a heavy truck. Hanging objects also swing considerably. Dinner plates, glasses, windows and doors rattle. Rumbling sound may sometimes be heard.
Intensity 3 or “weak quake” was felt in Davao City, San Isidro, Sto. Tomas and Panabo City in Davao del Norte.
| 07 Mar 2023 – 04:47:42 PM | |
| Location | 07.52°N, 126.24°E – 011 km S 73° E of New Bataan (Davao De Oro) |
| Depth of Focus (Km) | 011 |
| Origin | TECTONIC |
| Magnitude | Mw 5.6 |
USGS: 1st quake Magnitude 6.0
The US Geological Survey recorded the strength of the 2 pm quake in Davao de Oro to be Magnitude 6.0.
Phivolcs explained that the USGS uses global seismic network data to compute the quake’s magnitude.
“As for PHIVOLCS, we use the data gathered by our Philippine Seismic Network (PSN) of seismic instruments located close to the earthquake sources. So essentially more accurate,” a seismologist explained.
