4.7 magnitude quake jolts MM, Luzon

MANILA, Philippines -  A magnitude 4.7 earthquake rocked parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila, yesterday but did not cause damage or injuries, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum said the tremor struck at 10:10 a.m. with its epicenter traced some 26 kilometers northwest of Nasugbu, Batangas.

Solidum said the quake was felt at Intensity 4 in Manila and Dasmariñas, Cavite and Intensity 3 in the cities of Quezon, Pasig, Malabon, Makati, Muntinlupa and Pasay, as well as in Subic, Zambales, Mariveles, Bataan and Malolos, Bulacan. It was also felt at Intensity 2 in Looc, Lubang and Intensity 1 in San Fernando, Pampanga.

Phivolcs defines an Intensity 4 quake as “moderately strong.” “(It) is felt generally by people indoors and by some people outdoors. Light sleepers are awakened. Vibration is felt like a passing of heavy truck,” the agency said.

An Intensity 3 quake, on the other hand, is classified as “weak.”

Solidum said the quake had a depth of 116 km and was tectonic in origin. Tectonic pertains to the movement of the earth’s crust. Solidum said they were not expecting any damages or aftershocks from the quake.

The Philippines lies on the so-called “Pacific Ring of Fire,” an area where large earthquakes and volcanic eruptions frequently occur.

According to Phivolcs, about 20 earthquakes hit the country everyday but only a few are felt.