An intermediate magnitude 6.5 earthquake was reported early evening near General Santos City, South Cotabato, Soccsksargen, Philippines.
According to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), the quake hit on Wednesday, October 4th, 2023, at 7:21 pm local time at an intermediate depth of 138 km. The strength of the earthquake may have been tempered by its relative great depth below the surface,
which makes it feel weaker in absolute terms. The exact magnitude, epicenter, and depth of the quake might be revised within the next few hours or minutes as seismologists review data and refine their calculations, or as other agencies issue their report.
A second report was later issued by the citizen-seismograph network of RaspberryShake, which listed it as a magnitude 6.5 earthquake as well.
Based on the preliminary seismic data, the quake was probably felt by many people in the area of the epicenter. It should not have caused significant damage, other than objects falling from shelves, broken windows, etc.
In Sarangani (pop. 7,500) located 79 km from the epicenter, Caburan (pop. 12,600) 84 km away, Alabel (pop. 43,300) 127 km away, General Santos City (pop. 679,600) 138 km away, and Polomolok (pop. 64,000) 155 km away, the quake should have been felt as light shaking.
VolcanoDiscovery will automatically update magnitude and depth if these change and follow up if other significant news about the quake become available.
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