Ched Rick Gatchalian

The Archdiocesan Shrine of Sta. Rosa de Lima in Daanbantayan, Cebu, sustained damage after the 6.9-magnitude earthquake on September 30, 2025, when its façade and parts of its outer walls collapsed. Church administrators reminded the public not to touch the debris scattered outside the church, particularly the coral stones, as these would be used for its restoration. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

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What makes Cebu quake more destructive than Davao Oriental's? Phivolcs weighs in

Job Manahan

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The earthquake that hit Cebu was more destructive than the one that hit Davao Oriental particularly because of its depth, Phivolcs said on Saturday.On September 30, a 6.9 quake shook the waters off the northeastern part of Bogo City at 9:59 p.m. on September 30, damaging buildings and killing at least 70 people in the province.It had a depth of 5 kilometers, based on Phivolcs’ report.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/10/1/aftershocks-rattle-cebu-after-deadly-quake-0909">Aftershocks rattle Cebu after deadly quake</a></div>This Friday, October 10, a magnitude-7.4 quake struck the waters off Davao Oriental that had a depth of 23 kilometers, followed by a magnitude-6.9 temblor in the evening, which Phivolcs described as a “doublet” earthquake.At least seven people have reportedly died from the twin quakes, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/11/what-is-a-doublet-earthquake-phivolcs-explains-twin-quakes-that-rattled-davao-1214" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">What is a doublet earthquake? Phivolcs explains twin quakes that rattled Davao</a></div>Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol explained why Cebu’s quake was deadlier and more destructive.  “Magnitude is just one factor ‘yung depth din ng lindol kung saan siya nagsimula,” said Bacolcol in a Saturday news forum.(Magnitude is just one factor. The depth at which the earthquake starts is another one)He said that while the Cebu earthquake was magnitude 6.9 and the one in Davao Oriental one was magnitude 7.4, it started deeper at 23 kilometers.Seismic energy weakens as it travels through the earth, which means the Davao Oriental earthquake was weaker by the time it reached the surface.“If it’s five kilometers lamang ‘yung tinakbo niya pataas mas malakas pa rin ‘yung seismic energy pagdating sa ibabaw,” he added.(If the earthquake only travels upward for five kilometers, it will still have a lot of seismic energy when it reaches the surface) Bacolcol said the soil type is another factor, with seismic energy traveling through rock faster than it would through sediments.“Hindi siya kaagad maka-transmit… that’s why the shaking would be much longer as compared sa mas matitigas na bato natin,” he added.(The seismic energy isn&#x27;t transmitted as easily, that’s why the shaking would be much longer as compared to harder rock)<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2025/10/10/phivolcs-no-connection-in-cebu-la-union-davao-quakes-1725">Phivolcs: No connection in Cebu, La Union, Davao quakes</a></div>The magnitude 6.9 earthquake that rattled Cebu has so far left at least P3 billion in infrastructure damage in the province, the local government had said.The tremor damaged roads, bridges, ports, houses, and historic churches.The Department of Social Welfare and Development said Saturday they already provided around P3.7 million worth of assistance in Davao Oriental, as nearly 2,300 families continue to stay inside evacuation centers there following the twin quakes.In Cebu, the DSWD said they have already provided P214.7 million worth of humanitarian assistance to residents there, with 815 families still staying inside evacuation centers nearly two weeks after the strong quake.

The earthquake that hit Cebu was more destructive than the one that hit Davao Oriental particularly because of its depth, Phivolcs said on Saturday.

The earthquake that hit Cebu was more destructive than the one that hit Davao Oriental particularly because of its depth, Phivolcs said on Saturday.

Why the Cebu quake was more destructive than the one in Davao Oriental

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Why the Cebu quake was more destructive than the one in Davao Oriental

Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published October 11, 2025 03:37 PM PHT

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Updated October 15, 2025 12:51 PM PHT

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