The United States Geological Survey
recorded a Magnitude 5.9 Earthquake at a depth of 12.4 km about 12 km to the northeast of La Paz in Agusan del Sur Province on northern Mindanao Island, Philippines, slightly before10.40 am local time (slightly before 2.40 am GMT) on Sunday 4 September
2016. There are no reports of any damage or casualties associated with
this event, though people reported feeling it across much of north and east Mindanao.
The approximate location of the 4 September 2016 Mindanao Earthquake. Google.
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.
Subduction beneath the Philippines. Yves Descatoire/Singapore Earth Observatory.
Witness
accounts of Earthquakes can help geologists to understand these events,
and the structures that cause them. The international non-profit
organization Earthquake Report is interested in hearing from people who may have felt this event; if you felt this quake then you can report it to Earthquake Report here.
See also...
Magnitude 5.4 Earthquake beneath southern Mindanao Island. The United States Geological Survey
recorded a Magnitude 5.4 Earthquake at a depth of 91.9 km beneath the
southern Mindanao Island, slightly...
Magnitude 5.0 Earthquake in the Hinatuan Passage. The United States Geological Survey
recorded a Magnitude 5.0 Earthquake at a depth of 44.3 km beneath the
Hinatuan Passage, to the northeast...
Magnitude 4.8 Earthquake on Mindanao Island, Philippines. The United States Geological Survey
recorded a Magnitude 4.8 Earthquake at a depth of 10.1 km, 14 km to the
southeast of the city of Tandag in...
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