NO damage was reported in Davao Region following a magnitude 7.0 earthquake that struck Sarangani in Davao del Sur, Wednesday afternoon, January 18.
A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Sarangani in Davao Occidental on Wednesday afternoon, January 18, 2023, but no tsunami warnings were issued.
According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the earthquake jolted Sarangani at 2:06 p.m.
The tectonic quake has a depth of 64 kilometers.
Phivolcs earlier reported that the earthquake’s magnitude is at 7.3. An hour later, it was downgraded to 7.0.
Intensity II was felt at Glan, Maasim, and Malungon, Sarangani; Banga, City of Koronadal, Polomolok, Tampakan, and Tupi, South Cotabato; City of General Santos; and Kalamansig, Palimbang, and President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat.
Intensity I, meanwhile, was felt at Lake Sebu, and Surallah, South Cotabato; and Columbio, Sultan Kudarat.
In terms of instrumental intensities, Intensity II was felt in Nabunturan, Davao de Oro; Don Marcelino, Davao Occidental; City of Kidapawan, Cotabato; Glan, and Kiamba, Sarangani; City of Koronadal, Santo Niño, T'Boli, and Tupi, South Cotabato; and General Santos City.
Intensity I was felt in Zamboanga City; Maasim, and Maitum, Sarangani; Lake Sebu, Norala,
Surallah, Tampakan, and Tantangan, South Cotabato; and Isulan, Sultan Kudarat.
According to the U.S. Tsunami Warning System of NOAA, there is no tsunami following the 7.0 magnitude earthquake. Phivolcs also confirmed this in a separate advisory.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of Davao Occidental (PDRRMO - Davao Occidental) said aftershocks are always possible because of the high magnitude of the earthquake.
“We advise the public to always be prepared and tune in always to correct information and news from the government and legit media sources to avoid misinformation and unnecessary panic,” PDRRMO - Davao Occidental said in a statement.
The Office of Civil Defense-Davao Region also confirmed in a text message to SunStar Davao that no damages were reported in any part of the region. RGL