Magnitude-5.1 quake hits Davao; tsunami ruled out

A predawn quake rocked parts of Davao Oriental province in Mindanao Tuesday, but state seismologists quickly allayed fears of a tsunami resulting from the temblor. Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) director Renato Solidum Jr. said the quake was recorded at magnitude 5.1, which is not enough to cause a tsunami. "Wala tayong inaasahang tsunami rito. Ang magnitude ay 5.1 lang, hindi sapat para magpakilos ng ilalim ng dagat para magkaroon ng tsunami (We do not expect any tsunami. The magnitude is 5.1, not enough to cause an underwater movement that will generate a tsunami)," Solidum said in an interview on dzBB radio. Citing initial reports reaching him, he said the epicenter was traced to the sea 62 km south of Mati, Davao Oriental. He said the quake was felt at Intensity IV in Tarragona in Davao Oriental; Intensity III in Davao City; and Intensity II in Caraga town in Davao Oriental, Polomolok in South Cotabato, and Tagum in Davao del Norte. Solidum said there were no initial reports of damage to property. “We do not expect significant damage because the highest intensity was Intensity IV," he said. On the other hand, the United States Geological Service said the quake was recorded at magnitude 5.2, and recorded at 3:58 a.m. It traced the epicenter to 95 km east-southeast of Davao, 140 km east-northeast of General Santos City, 185 km south of Hinatuan, or 1,065 km southeast of Manila. - GMANews.TV