Magnitude 6.8 quake hits Surigao del Sur, Phivolcs says not an aftershock

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 4) — State seismologists reported a magnitude 6.8 earthquake that jolted Cagwait town in Surigao del Sur Monday morning, adding that the event is not an aftershock of the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that hit the region two days ago.

In an advisory, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said aftershocks are also expected from the tectonic quake that hit Cagwait at 3:49 a.m.

Reported intensities include:

Intensity V (strong) - Cagwait, Surigao del Sur

Intensity IV (moderately strong) - Tarragona, Davao Oriental; City of Tandag, Surigao del Sur

Intensity III (weak) — City of Iligan; City of Cagayan de Oro; Banaybanay, Lupon, and City of Mati, Davao Oriental

Phivolcs recorded 54 aftershocks from the quake which plotted a magnitude range of 1.8 to 5.6.

While tagged as a separate quake from the one which hit Hinatuan town on Saturday, the agency said it is similarly caused by movements in the Philippine trench.

RELATED: Tsunami threat ended after magnitude 7.4 quake in Surigao del Sur

As of 8 a.m., Phivolcs said the magnitude 7.4 earthquake has generated 1,692 aftershocks with a magnitude range of 1.4 to 6.6.

The Department of National Defense has reported one death and four others injured from the stronger quake.