THE movement of an unnamed local fault line triggered a magnitude 5 earthquake of tectonic origin at 3:19 p.m., Thursday, March 15, with its epicenter in Talakag town, Bukidnon province.
Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs)-Northern Mindanao director Marcial Labininay said intensity 3 was felt in Cagayan de Oro, while intensity 2 was recorded in Villanueva and Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, in Libona, Bukidnon, and intensity 1 in Valencia City, Bukidnon.
Labininay said aftershocks were recorded but these were too mild to be detected by the general public.
Phivolcs describe an intensity 3 earthquake as a "weak" earthquake, and is felt by many people indoors especially in upper floors of buildings. Vibration is likened to a passing light truck. Dizziness and nausea are experienced by some people. Hanging objects swing moderately, and still water in containers oscillates moderately.
Intensity 2 is only slightly felt by few individuals at rest indoors and hanging objects swing slightly, while Intensity 1 is only perceptible to people under favorable circumstances, and only delicately balanced objects are disturbed slightly.
No damage was recorded in Misamis Oriental as of this writing. In barangay Indulang, Talakag town meanwhile, a church and a school were slightly damaged, but no injuries were recorded. (PJ Orias)