By Brian Campued
Two earthquakes of above magnitude 5 struck the provinces of Davao Occidental and Ilocos Norte early Wednesday morning, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
In its earthquake information bulletin, Phivolcs said the magnitude 5.3 tremor jolted 171 kilometers southeast of Balut Island in Sarangani, Davao Occidental at 12:09 a.m.
The tectonic quake has a depth of focus of 14 km.
No reported and instrumental intensities were recorded by Phivolcs.
Meanwhile, a magnitude 5.7 tectonic earthquake hit four kilometers southwest of Bangui, Ilocos Norte at 2:54 a.m. It has a depth of focus of 23 km.
The agency logged the following reported intensities:
- Intensity V – City of Laoag, Pagudpud, Dumalneg, Burgos, Pasuquin, Bacarra, Adams, Sarrat and San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte
- Intensity IV – City of Batac, Currimao, and Pinili, Ilocos Norte; Sinait, City of Vigan, San Vicente, Santa Catalina, Bantay, Santa Lucia, Santa, Narvacan, San Esteban, Cabugao, San Juan, Caoayan, Magsingal, San Ildefonso, Santa Cruz, Santo Domingo, Santiago, City of Candon, and Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur; Lacub, Tayum, San Juan, La Paz, San Isidro, Pidigan, Bangued, Tubo, and Bucay, Abra; City of Baguio, Atok, and Buguias, Benguet; Besao and Bontoc, Mountain Province
- Intensity III – La Trinidad, Benguet
The following recorded the instrumental intensities:
- Intensity V – City of Laoag and Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte
- Intensity IV – City of Batac and San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte; Sinait and City of Vigan, Ilocos Sur; Gonzaga, Cagayan
- Intensity III – Bontoc, Mountain Province
- Intensity II – Peñablanca, Cagayan; Bangued, Abra
According to Phivolcs, damages and aftershocks are expected from the Ilocos Norte earthquake.
-iro