MANILA, July 14 (Xinhua) — An earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale struck off the coast of the southern Philippine province of Davao Occidental at 3:59 p.m., local time on Monday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said.
The epicenter of the earthquake was determined to be 88 kilometers southeast of Don Marcelino town, with a depth of 10 kilometers.
Intensity 4 or moderately strong tremor was recorded in Governor Generoso town in Davao Oriental province. A weak tremor was felt in Glan town, Saranggani province; General Santos City and Davao City; and M’lang town in North Cotabato province.
PHIVOLCS said the earthquake, which originated offshore, was not expected to generate tsunami in the area.
No casualties and losses have been reported so far, but PHIVOLCS said areas near the epicenter of the tremor may experience aftershocks.
Rey Lumbang, PHIVOLCS science research analyst, said the agency is still determining the fault that triggered the earthquake, but he noted that there are several known earthquake generators near the epicenter.
The Philippines sites on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” where continental plants collide, causing frequent seismic and volcanic activity. There are about 20 to 25 earthquakes occurring in the country everyday, most of them not felt by the general populace. Source: Xinhua