Phivolcs: More than 250 aftershocks after Mindanao quake

More than 250 aftershocks rocked Mindanao following a magnitude-6.9 quake that rocked the Moro Gulf area last Saturday, state seismologists said Monday. Radio dzBB’s Carlo Mateo reported the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) indicated the latest aftershock occurred at 4:30 a.m. Monday. It said the 4:30 a.m. aftershock was measured at magnitude 4.8 but there was no initial report of damage or casualty. Phivolcs said the epicenter of Monday’s predawn aftershock was 72 km southwest of Cotabato City but was 594 km underground and was generally not felt. At least 253 aftershocks were recorded during the weekend, including a magnitude-5.4 quake at 12:21 p.m. Sunday, and magnitude-5.5 temblor at 4:18 p.m. Sunday. Residents in the Moro Gulf area were jolted awake last Saturday when a magnitude-6.9 quake hit. Several aftershocks followed the quake, even as Phivolcs allayed fears of a tsunami. (See: Magnitude-6.9 quake, aftershock jolt Mindanao — Phivolcs) Meanwhile, Phivolcs said a magnitude-4 quake rocked parts of northern Luzon last Sunday. It said the quake was recorded at 1:01 p.m. and was tectonic in origin. It said the epicenter was 15 km northeast of Tabuk in Kalinga, and was felt at Intensity III in Callao, Tuguegarao, Cagayan. No damage or aftershock was expected from the quake, Phivolcs said. Phivolcs also recorded a magnitude-4.7 quake in northern Luzon Sunday night, dzBB reported. The magnitude-4.7 quake was recorded at 7:22 p.m., with the epicenter traced to 69 km northeast of Lingayen. It was felt at Intensity III in Dagupan City. — RSJ, GMANews.TV