The United States Geological Survey recorded a Magnitude 4.8 Earthquake at a depth of 53.7 km beneath the village of Balangbalang in Agusan del Norte Province on Mindanao Island in the Philippines, slightly after 8.30 pm local time (slightly after 12.30 GMT) on Thursday 12 September 2013. There are no reports of any damage or casualties arising from this Earthquake, although it may have been felt locally.
The approximate location of the 12 September 2013 Balangbalang Earthquake. Google Maps.
The geology of the central Philippines is Complex. The west of Mindanao Island is located on the Banda (or Sunda) Microplate, and the east on the Philippine Plate, which is being subducted beneath the Sunda (or Banda) Microplate along the central part of the island. Immediately to the east of the Island the Pacific Plate is being subducted along the Philippine Trench, and passes beneath eastern Mindanao as it sinks into the Earth. This is not a smooth process, an the plates constantly stick together then break apart again as the pressure builds up, resulting in Earthquakes.
See also Magnitude 5.0 Earthquake on Mindanao Island, the Philippines, Five people killed by eruption on Mount Mayon, the Philippines, Earthquake off Mindanao Island in the Philippines, Massive Earthquake to the east of the Philippines and Massive Earthquake shakes Cebu & Negros Islands in the Philippines.
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