3.5-Magnitude Quake Jolts Surigao del Norte

A moderate 3.5 magnitude earthquake struck off Surigao del Norte on Tuesday morning, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

In its bulletin, the agency said the earthquake occurred at 3:09 a.m. with its epicenter traced at 63 kilometers northeast of General Luna in Surigao del Norte.

The quake which was tectonic in origin, had a depth of seven kilometers.

Phivolcs said no damage was reported from the earthquake since it happened offshore.

It added that no aftershocks were expected from the said quake.

Phivolcs said an average of 20 earthquakes hit the country daily since the Philippines lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire — where earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are frequent due to friction between shifting tectonic plates. (PNA) JBP/CLTC