3 quakes jolt parts of Luzon, the Visayas

Three tectonic earthquakes rocked parts of Luzon and the Visayas yesterday morning but did not cause any damage, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

Phivolcs director Dr. Renato Solidum said the tremors of magnitude 3.5, 5.4 and 2.9 struck at 12:03 a.m., 5:43 a.m. and 10:47 a.m., respectively.

Solidum said the magnitude 3.5 quake was felt at Intensity 2 in Quezon City. Its epicenter was traced at 26 kilometers northeast of Pasig City.

The second quake, of magnitude 5.4, was centered 93 kms northeast of Borongan, Eastern Samar. It was felt at Intensity 4 in Borongan and Catubig, Northern Samar and Intensity 3 in Palo and Tacloban Leyte.

The third quake was felt at Intensity 2 in Bantayan Island, Cebu. Its epicenter was traced at four kms northeast of Madridejos on Bantayan Island.

No aftershocks were recorded, Solidum said.

On Nov. 27, a strong quake of magnitude 6 shook some parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila, and caused minor damage to some structures.

Tectonic pertains to the structure or movement of the earth’s crust.

The Philippines is part of the so-called “Ring of Fire” of volcanic islands along the quake-prone western rim of the Pacific Ocean.

About 20 quakes hit the country every day but only a few are felt, Solidum said.   – With Miriam Garcia Desacada