FILE IMAGE: PAGASA-DOST
The center of the earthquake was recorded near Governor Generoso in Davao Oriental on Saturday (December 29) triggering a tsunami alert but was immediately lifted by the agency.
According to DOST Undersecretary Renato Solidum, a series of aftershocks can still be expected though of lower intensity in the coming days.
He also noted a slight rise in sea level which reached 0.08 meters based on the data recorded from the level sensor located in Mati area.
Solidum said strong earthquakes were also recorded in history near the area of the earthquake on Saturday.
A magnitude 8.3 was recorded on April 15, 1924 and a magnitude 7.5 on November 12, 1921.
Both phenomena triggered a two-meter high tsunami.
On May 17, 1992, a 7.1 magnitude earthquake hit the area which triggered a 6-meter high tsunami.
Comment: For further details of the major quake referred to above, see: Tsunami alert lifted after undersea M7.1 earthquake off Philippines