The United States Geological Survey recorded a Magnitude 5.0 Earthquake at a depth of 96.1 km on Mindanao Island in the Philippines, close to the city of Tandag in Surigao del Sur Province, slightly before 5.30 pm local time (slightly before 9.30 am GMT) on Sunday 8 September 2013. This is a strong Earthquake, but rather deep, and there are no reports of any damage or injuries.
The approximate location of the 8 September 2013 Mindanao 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 stcik together then break apart again as the pressure builds up, resulting in Earthquakes.
See also Five people killed by eruption on Mount Mayon, the Philippines, Eruption on Mount Karangetang, Earthquake off Mindanao Island in the Philippines, Massive Earthquake to the east of the Philippines and A deep-sea hydrothermal vent community discovered in the Mariana Trench.
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