Quake jolts DavOr

A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Governor Generoso town in Davao Oriental around noon, Saturday, Dec. 29.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the underwater earthquake, which happened at 11:46 a.m., was tectonic in origin. The epicenter was located 162 kilometers off Governor Generoso, with a depth of 49 kilometers.

The tremor was also felt in other areas of the Davao Region, such as Davao Occidental, which recorded a 2.7 magnitude tremor.

There were no reports of inju- ries or damage.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued a statement that “a tsunami threat exists for parts of the Pacific located closer to the earthquake.”

Minutes later the PTWC issued another statement, saying “tsunami waves are forecast to be less than 0.3 meters above the tide level for the coasts of Indonesia, Palau and the Philippines.”

Phivolcs issued an advisory several minutes later about minor sea level disturbances, such as strong currents and rapid rise and fall of seawater in areas of Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao City, Sarangani, South Cotabato, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur.

Phivolcs lifted its tsunami warning by 3 p.m.