The United States Geological Survey
recorded a Magnitude 5.3 Earthquake at a depth of 62.8 km about 12 km off the coast of the resort of Burgos in Agusan del Sur Province on northern Mindanao
Island, Philippines, slightly before 9.20 am local time (slightly
before 1.20 am GMT) on Sunday 23 April 2017. There are no reports of any casualties
this event, though some minor damage has been reported in the municipality of Tago.
The approximate location of the 23 April 2017 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
organisation 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...
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