Mild quake rattles Catanduanes

MANILA, Philippines — A magnitude 5.1 earthquake shook Catanduanes on Wednesday afternoon, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

Phivolcs said the tremor which occurred at 2:24 p.m in Virac, Catanduanes was felt at various intensities in nearby provinces.

The quake was felt at Instrumental Intensity I or scarcely perceptible in Sorsogon and Masbate City; Intensity II or slightly felt in Guinayangan, Quezon; and Intensity III or weak in Legazpi City.

On the other hand, the reported intensities are as follows:

• Intensity IV - Virac and Panganiban, Catanduanes; Legazpi City

• Intensity III - Daet, Camarines Norte; Sipocot, Camarines Sur; Naga City

• Intensity II - Sorsogon City, Sorsogon; Guinayangan, Quezon

Phivolcs traced the epicenter of the tremor at 15 kilometers south 21° west of Virac, Catanduanes. It was tectonic in origin and had a depth of focus of 9 km.

The agency said there was no damage reported but it warned of possible aftershocks.

Meanwhile, Phivolcs also recorded six other mild quakes which are all tectonic in origin on Wednesday morning. These occurred in Masbate, Sorsogon, Oriental Mindoro, Northern Samar, Southern Leyte and Occidental Mindoro.