An earthquake registering 4.5 on the Richter scale was reported to have occurred on the morning of June 13 near Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte, Caraga, Philippines. While there was not any significant damage, it was felt like a light vibration in the area of the epicenter.
The quake, which was of a very shallow magnitude, struck around 8:51 am (Philippine time) at a very shallow depth of 2 km. However, the exact magnitude, epicenter, and depth of the quake would be known soon after seismologists review data and refine their calculations, or as other agencies issue their report, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).
RELATED STORY: Phivolcs’ ‘earthquake scenario’ anticipates 7.2 magnitude quake in Metro Manila
Shallow earthquakes are felt more strongly than deeper ones as they are closer to the surface.
The scientists said that weak tremors may have been felt in Santa Monica (pop. 2,300) located 52 km from the epicenter, San Benito (pop. 2,300) 59 km away, Pilar (pop. 2,400) 59 km away, Libas (pop. 3,400) located 66 km from the epicenter, Union (pop. 2,400) 68 km away, and Del Carmen (pop. 4,300) 68 km away.
While ‘VolcanoDiscovery’ is expected to automatically update magnitude and depth figures, people living in the affected areas were requested to send information via reporting mechanism, either online or via mobile app. (AW)
