Quake rocks part of Southern Luzon

MANILA, Philippines - A magnitude 4 earthquake rocked parts of Southern Luzon yesterday but there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, state seismologists said.

Renato Solidum, director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), said the tremor occurred at around 1 p.m. with its epicenter traced at 27 kilometers southeast of Virac, Catanduanes.

Solidum said the quake was felt at Intensity 4 in Cabid-an, Sorsogon City; Intensity 3 in Juban, Sorsogon; and Intensity 2 in Virac, Viga and Bato, Catanduanes and Legaspi City.

Solidum said no damage or aftershocks were expected from the quake.

The Philippines lies on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” where continental plates collide, causing frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

About 20 quakes hit the country every day but only a few are felt, Phivolcs said.