Magnitude 6.0 quake strikes Catanduanes

MANILA, Philippines — Two earthquakes jolted the Luzon island of Catanduanes on Saturday afternoon, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology reported.

According to a bulletin by Phivolcs, a “tectonic” quake with a magnitude of 6.0 rattled the municipality of Pandan at 2:19 p.m. Tremors were even felt as far as the capital, Manila.

Phivolcs said the first quake had a 21-km depth of focus with no expected damage, although locals have been warned of aftershocks.

Intensity 4 (moderately strong) was felt in some towns in Irosin, Sorsogon and Legazpi City and Ligao town in Albay.

Intensity 3 was also felt in Obando, Bulacan while Inrensity 2 was recorded in Quezon City and Masbate City.

Based on Instrumental Intensities, Intensity 4 was recorded in Legazpi City, Iriga City, Jose Panganiban in Camarines Norte and Alabat in Quezon.

Intensity 3 was felt in Guinayangan, Lopez and Infanta towns in Quezon; Sorsogon City and Marikina City and Intensity 2 in Lucban, Quezon; Quezon City, Masbate, Masbate; Mauban, Quezon; Catbalogan, Samar; Cabanatuan City and Palo, Leyte.

Intensity I was also reported in Tagaytay City; Lucena City and Dolores town in Quezon; Malabon City; Sal Ildefonso, Bulacan and Guagua in Pampanga.

Meanwhile, the second tectonic quake with a magnitude of 2.3 hit the same municipality at 3:25 p.m. There are no expected damage and aftershocks from the tremor.

The Philippines is located in the so-called Ring of Fire, a vast region experiencing frequent quakes and volcanic eruptions. — Ian Nicolas Cigaral