Strong 6.3 magnitude quake shakes Batangas

MANILA, Philippines (First published 1:56 p.m.) — A magnitude 6.3 earthquake jolted southern Luzon on Friday afternoon, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

In a bulletin, the agency said that the quake hit 14.00°N, 120.64°E - 005 km S 13° west of Nasugbu, Batangas at around 1:28 p.m. and was felt in Metro Manila.

According to Phivolcs, the tremor struck at a depth of 160 kilometers and is tectonic in origin.

It said no damage was expected although residents in nearby areas should prepare for possible aftershocks.

Batangas was also hit by a series of earthquakes in April which damaged homes and buildings and displaced hundreds of residents.

The earthquake was felt at Intensity IV in Manila; Calapan, Mindoro; Subic, Zambales; Rosario, Cavite and Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro.

Intensity refers to the measurement of shakes produced and felt in an area.

According to PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale, Intensity IV refers to “moderately strong” shakes.

Intensity III was felt in Pateros; Quezon City; Makati City; Malolos, Bulacan; Cainta, Rizal and Calamba, Laguna where shaking was felt by many people indoors especially on the upper floors of buildings.

Magalang, Pampanga and Tanauan City, Batangas experienced the shaking at Intensity II, which means that the jolting was “felt by few individuals at rest indoors.” Intensity I was felt in Talisay, Batangas.