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Using the PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale (PEIS), the preliminary intensity reports* are
summarized below.
Intensity (PEIS)
Province
VII (Destructive) VI (Very strong) V (Strong)
Matanao, Magsaysay,
Padada, Sulop, Kiblawan,
Davao del Sur Bansalan, Hagonoy; Digos
Malalag
City
Independent/
General Santos City Cotabato City, Davao City
Chartered cities
Intensity (PEIS)
Province
IV (Moderately III (Weak) II (Slightly felt) I (Scarcely
strong) perceptible)
Damulog, Don
Dangcagan, Impasugong,
Bukidnon Carlos, Kalilangan,
Maramag Libona
Kadingilan,
Minor earthquakes: 3 to 3.9; Light earthquakes: 4 to 4.9; Moderate earthquakes: 5 to 5.9; Strong earthquakes: 6 to 6.9; Major
earthquakes: 7 to 7.9; Great earthquakes: 8.0 and above.
Postal Address: PHIVOLCS Building, C.P. Garcia Avenue, U.P. Campus Tel. Nos.: +63 2 8426-1468 to 79; +63 2 8926-2611
Diliman, Quezon City 1101 Philippines Fax Nos.: +63 2 8929-8366; +63 2 8928-3757
Website : www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph
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Kitaotao,
Pangantucan,
Talakag
Zamboanga del
Dipolog City
Norte
Have major to moderate magnitude earthquakes affected Davao del Sur in the past?
Recent earthquake events that affected Regions XI and XII are the M5.9 on 9 July 2019, the
M6.3 on 16 October 2019, the M6.6 and M6.1 on 29 October, and M6.5 on 31 October . The
maximum intensity of the M6.9 event was felt at PEIS VII (see table) and shaking was felt as
far as 300 kilometers away from the epicenter.
At PEIS VII, most people are frightened and run outdoors. People find it difficult to stand in
upper floors. Heavy objects and furniture overturn or topple. Trees are shaken strongly. Big
church bells may ring. Old or poorly-built structures suffer considerably damage. Some well-
built structures are slightly damaged. Some cracks may appear on dikes, fish ponds, road
surface, or concrete hollow block walls. When the epicenter is located in the floodplain,
liquefaction effects (e.g. sand boils, lateral spreading, etc.), and landslides are frequently
observed.
At least five onshore earthquakes with intensities ranging from V to VIII on the Rossi-Forrel
Scale have occurred in Davao Region and vicinity between 1908 and 1970 based on the
PHIVOLCS Earthquake Catalog, and the report by the Southeast Asia Association of
Seismology and Earthquake Engineering (SEASEE).
Davao Region (Region XI) in southern Mindanao, is one of the seismically active regions in
the country because of the presence of several active faults that include the Tangbulan Fault,
Central Digos Fault and Cotabato Fault System (CFS): Makilala-Malungon, Makilala, M’lang,
North Columbio, South Columbio, Balabag. There are other nearby local faults, some of which
may be covered by recent deposits, that could be sources of small to strong magnitude
earthquakes.
Minor earthquakes: 3 to 3.9; Light earthquakes: 4 to 4.9; Moderate earthquakes: 5 to 5.9; Strong earthquakes: 6 to 6.9; Major
earthquakes: 7 to 7.9; Great earthquakes: 8.0 and above.
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origin. In addition, dedicated volcano monitoring networks currently operate on these and
nearby volcanoes for observation of any abnormal seismic activity.
Aside from strong ground shaking, what other seismic hazards are life-threatening?
Landslides, rock falls, and other types of mass movements may occur on mountainous or hilly
areas. Liquefaction, manifested by subsidence, sand boils or lateral spreading may affect low-
lying, water-saturated and sandy areas near river banks and shore lines.
People are reminded to be cautious of structures visibly weakened or having signs of damage
caused by the series of strong earthquakes in July and October 2019, as these may be further
damaged by succeeding earthquakes. In case of houses and other buildings with visible
damage, it is best to contact the concerned Municipal/City Engineering Office for advice. Civil
engineers from the local government, other agencies and organizations are strongly enjoined
to inspect buildings and infrastructure to determine their integrity and recommend appropriate
actions to the affected population. Structurally compromised buildings should not be
reoccupied unless certified safe by structural engineers.
Slopes should be checked for tension/incipient cracks that may have resulted from the strong
ground shaking. Tension cracks may render slopes more susceptible to landslides. Such
areas should be avoided.
The best course of action is preparedness. In case of another strongly felt earthquake, it is
recommended that people protect themselves by doing the “drop, cover and hold.” In homes
and offices, heavy furniture should be strapped to the walls, hanging objects securely
fastened, and appliances secured to prevent these from toppling and causing injuries to
persons.
During earthquakes events, rumors that may cause panic are easily spread. Please avoid
sharing messages from unconfirmed and unreliable sources.
Minor earthquakes: 3 to 3.9; Light earthquakes: 4 to 4.9; Moderate earthquakes: 5 to 5.9; Strong earthquakes: 6 to 6.9; Major
earthquakes: 7 to 7.9; Great earthquakes: 8.0 and above.
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De Oro City, Bislig City, Surigao City, Dipolog City, Zamboanga City, and General Santos City.
DOST-PHIVOLCS also has 17 remote-telemetered seismic stations located in Don Marcelino
in Davao del Sur, Mati City and Cateel in Davao Oriental, Laak in Compostela Valley, Pikit in
Cotabato, Bacolod in Lanao del Norte, Marawi City, Valencia in Bukidnon, Bagumbayan in
Sultan Kudarat, Talacogon in Agusan del Sur, Butuan City, General Luna in Surigao del Norte,
Tandag in Surigao del Sur, Loreto in Dinagat, Pagadian City and Ipil in Zamboanga Peninsula,
and Bongao in Tawi-Tawi. Data from the seismic stations are used to determine the location,
magnitude and other characteristics of earthquakes. The closest seismic stations to Davao
del Sur are the Kidapawan City Seismic Station (KCP-staff-controlled) in Kidapawan City
(Cotabato), and remote-telemetered seismic station in Don Marcelino (DDMP-Davao del Sur).
Aside from monitoring earthquakes, DOST-PHIVOLCS also provides other services such as
hazards analyses and assessments. DOST-PHIVOLCS works hand-in-hand with other
government agencies in mitigating the damaging effects of earthquakes. Furthermore, DOST-
PHIVOLCS immediately deployed a Quick Response Team to Davao del Sur whose main
tasks is to assess impacts, hazards, and conduct information dissemination campaigns to allay
the fears of the public.
Please visit our website at www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph, and our Facebook (/PHIVOLCS) and
Twitter (@phivolcs_dost) accounts for earthquake information, volcano updates, hazard
maps, and other information on earthquakes and volcanoes. Earthquake observations may
also be reported to DOST-PHIVOLCS at telephone numbers (02) 8929-9254 and (02) 8426-
1468 to 79, local 307 and 308.
Figure 1. Seismicity plot of the M6.9 earthquake and the succeeding aftershocks.
Minor earthquakes: 3 to 3.9; Light earthquakes: 4 to 4.9; Moderate earthquakes: 5 to 5.9; Strong earthquakes: 6 to 6.9; Major
earthquakes: 7 to 7.9; Great earthquakes: 8.0 and above.