Strong Magnitude Quake Jolts Surigao del Sur, Rattling Nerves After Previous Tremors
CAGWAIT, SURIGAO DEL SUR – Residents across Surigao del Sur and surrounding provinces were jolted late Saturday night as a strong magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Cagwait. The tremor, which occurred at 10:32 PM on Saturday, October 11, 2025, has heightened anxieties in the region already reeling from a series of powerful quakes in the preceding days.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported that the tectonic quake was centered 22 kilometers northeast of Cagwait at a shallow depth of only 10 kilometers. The event, while not immediately associated with a tsunami warning, served as a stark reminder of the region's intense seismic activity along the Pacific Ring of Fire.
Intensity and Reported Effects
The shaking was widely felt across Mindanao and parts of the Visayas, with varying degrees of intensity:
Intensity IV (Moderately Strong): Reported in the immediate vicinity of the epicenter, specifically in the municipalities of Cagwait and Carmen in Surigao del Sur, as well as the far-reaching Davao City and Butuan City. At this intensity, the shaking is strong enough to rouse people from sleep, rattle doors and windows, and cause hanging objects to swing wildly.
Intensity III (Light): Felt in areas including Bislig City in Surigao del Sur and Mati in Davao Oriental, where the tremor was distinctly felt indoors, often by more people, but was generally not alarming.
Instrumental Intensity IV was also recorded in Cabadbaran City (Agusan del Norte), Nabunturan (Davao de Oro), Hinunangan (Southern Leyte), and Tandag City (Surigao del Sur), indicating significant ground acceleration in these areas.
Local authorities in Cagwait reported the unexpected force of the jolt. A fire official in the town, Arnel Besinga, stated, "The duration of the quake was not that long, just around 30 seconds, but it was so sudden and so strong. Our pots here in the fire station fell in our kitchen."
Damage and Aftershock Warning
While initial on-site inspections were hampered by darkness, Phivolcs has explicitly warned that damage and aftershocks are to be expected following a quake of this magnitude. Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (DRRMOs) in Surigao del Sur and neighboring provinces have activated response teams for a full damage assessment to be conducted at daybreak.
This latest seismic event compounds the distress in the region, coming only a day after a series of major tremors, including a magnitude and a subsequent magnitude
quake off Davao Oriental, which had already caused fatalities, extensive structural damage, and widespread evacuations in the Southern Philippines.
The public is strongly urged to remain vigilant and prepare for possible aftershocks, which can continue for days or weeks. Residents should check for cracks or signs of structural weakness in their homes and ensure emergency kits are readily accessible.
Geophysical Context: A Seismically Active Region
The Philippines, located on the geologically active Pacific Ring of Fire, is prone to frequent and powerful earthquakes. This offshore tremor is directly linked to the complex tectonic forces at play in the region, particularly the movements along the Philippine Trench and other underlying fault systems near the eastern coast of Mindanao.
The cluster of strong quakes occurring over a short period serves as a critical reminder for local government units to continuously review and enhance their disaster preparedness protocols, particularly in terms of seismic resilience of infrastructure and the rapid dissemination of accurate information to prevent panic.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and will release official updates as aftershocks subside and damage reports are consolidated.
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