By Catherine J. Teves
THE government is expecting more aftershocks from the magnitude 5 earthquake that struck Saturday below waters off Nasipit, Agusan del Norte.
“Aftershocks can further occur where the earthquake hit,” said senior research analyst John Deximo of the state-run Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.
He noted such temblors may or may not be as strong as the two aftershocks of minor intensities that resulted from the 2:29 a.m. earthquake.
“The forthcoming aftershocks can be stronger,” he also said.
Such aftershocks might be felt as well unlike the two others that occurred in the earthquake’s aftermath, he continued.
According to Phivolcs, Saturday’s earthquake of tectonic origin occurred 11 km. north 40 degrees east of Nasipit at a depth of 26 km.
“That earthquake was a shallow event,” Deximo said.
Phivolcs noted the earthquake was reported at intensity 5 in Agusan del Norte’s Nasipit and Carmen municipalities as well as in Butuan City; and intensity 4 in Cabadbaran City as well as Mainit, Placer, Las Nieves, Remedios Romualdez and Magallanes in Agusan del Norte.
The earthquake was reported at intensity 3 in Surigao City, Gingoog City in Misamis Oriental province, Mambajao in Camiguin province as well as in Sison, Bacuag and Taganaan in Agusan del Norte province, Phivolcs continued.