7.2 magnitude quake shakes south of Mindanao

By MB Online

An underwater earthquake with a magnitude of 7.2 struck off southeast of Sulu in the Celebes Sea on Tuesday afternoon, January 10.

The epicenter of the quake, which shook at around 2:13 p.m., was detected at 223 km southeast of Tongkil, Sulu, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said.

Estimated location of the earthquake off Tongkil, Sulu in the Celebes Sea.
Phivolcs | mb.com.ph

With the tectonic quake detected a depth of 625 km below sea level, Phivolcs discounts the possibility of a tsunami.

The tremor was felt as far as General Santos City at intensity 2.

The U.S. Geological Survey measured the quake at a magnitude of 6.9—initially at 7.3—and located it at 190 km south southeast of Tabiauan in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

No damages are expected, but Phivolcs warns of possible aftershocks.

Some 12 minutes later, a 4.9 magnitude quake shook the same area.

Also tectonic in origin, the underwater quake’s epicenter was at 236 km southeast of Siasu, Sulu, with a depth of 586 km.

It was felt at intensity 2 in Mati, Davao Oriental.

No damages or aftershocks are expected from this quake, Phivolcs said.

NOTE :

Tremor was felt at Lok Kawi, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah and Labuan, W.P. about 30 minutes ago.