MANILA, Philippines - A magnitude 5.5 earthquake rocked parts of Ilocos Norte before dawn yesterday but did not cause any damage or injuries, state seismologists said.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said aftershocks may be expected in the next few days, but are likely to be weaker than the main quake.
Phivolcs said the quake occurred at 4:01 a.m. yesterday with its epicenter traced at 105 kilometers northwest of Burgos, Ilocos Norte.
It was felt at Intensity 3 in Laoag City and Sarat, Ilocos Norte.
As of noon yesterday, Phivolcs recorded five aftershocks, with strength ranging from magnitude 4.3 to 4.8. These tremors though were unfelt.
State seismologists also recorded a magnitude 2.9 quake in Tagbilaran City, Bohol at 12:35 a.m. yesterday. The tremor was felt at Intensity 3 in Buenavista, Bohol.
Yesterday’s tremor in Bohol was still an aftershock of the magnitude 7.2 earthquake that struck Central Visayas last Oct. 15, killing more than 200 people dead, according to Phivolcs.
Phivolcs described an Intensity 3 earthquake as weak, but it is felt by many people indoors, especially those in upper floors of buildings. A vibration like the “passing of a light truck†would be felt, while water containers oscillate and hanging objects swing moderately.