Two earthquakes jolted waters off Balut Island in Sarangani, Davao Occidental late Friday night, January 10, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said.

The stronger tremor, a magnitude 6.8 tectonic earthquake, struck at 10:58 p.m., with its epicenter located about 315 kilometers south, 40 degrees east of Balut Island, at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers.

Instrumental intensity readings reached Intensity II in Malungon and Kiamba in Sarangani; Koronadal City and Tupi in South Cotabato; and Palimbang in Sultan Kudarat.

Weaker shaking, at Intensity I, was recorded in Magsaysay, Davao del Sur; Sta. Maria, Davao Occidental; Nabunturan, Davao de Oro; Maitum and Malapatan in Sarangani; Banga, Tampakan, T’Boli, Surallah, and Santo Niño in South Cotabato; and General Santos City.

PHIVOLCS said there is no tsunami threat to the country based on available data.

Seventeen minutes later, at 11:15 p.m., a second earthquake measuring magnitude 5.2 struck the same general area. Its epicenter was located about 350 kilometers south, 38 degrees east of Balut Island, also at a depth of 10 kilometers.

PHIVOLCS said neither earthquake is expected to cause damage, and no aftershocks are anticipated.