A magnitude 3.3 earthquake jolted Surigao City

A magnitude 3.3 earthquake jolted Surigao City yesterday but did not cause damage or injuries, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

According to Phivolcs the earthquake struck at 9:42 in the morning and was centered some 31 kilometers southwest of Surigao City where it was felt at intensity 2. The tremor, which was tectonic in origin, had a depth of 18 km.

Tectonic pertains to the structure or movement of the Earth's crust. Magnitude refers to the measure of energy of an earthquake specified on the Richter scale. The intensity, on the other hand, is a measure of the severity of shaking and its attendant damage on the surface of the earth.

The Philippines lies on the so-called “Pacific Ring of Fire,” an area where large earthquakes and volcanic eruptions frequently occur. Phivolcs said about 20 quakes hit the country everyday but only a few are felt. (philstar.com)

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