Strong quake jolts Batanes

A strong 6.4-nagnitude earthquake rocked northern Philippines and southern Taiwan yesterday morning but there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage and no tsunami warning was issued.

Renato Solidum, director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), said the tremor struck at 9:57 a.m. with its epicenter traced at 77 kilometers southwest of Basco, Batanes where it was felt at Intensity 5.

The quake, with a depth of 42 kms, was also felt at Intensity 3 in Aparri, Cagayan and Intensity 2 in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte, Solidum said.

Solidum said a movement along the Northern Luzon trough might have caused the quake. “The quake could not cause significant damage. However, aftershocks are expected,” he said.

Phivolcs has advised the Batanes disaster coordinating council to review its earthquake preparedness action plan.  – Helen Flores, Jack Castaño III