5.7 magnitude quake jolts Visayas, Mindanao

A 5.7 magnitude tectonic earthquake rocked parts of Visayas and Mindanao yesterday morning but no damage and injuries were reported, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

Phivolcs director Renato Solidum said the tremor occurred at 10:43 a.m. with its epicenter traced at 40 kms. southeast of Maasin in Southern Leyte.

The quake was felt at Intensity 5 in Saint Bernard and Sogod, Southern Leyte; Intensity 4 in Surigao City; Intensity 3 in Tacloban and Intensity 2 in Cebu City and Camiguin Island.

Solidum said aftershocks are expected.

A movement along the Philippine Fault Zone caused the temblor, Phivolcs said in an advisory.

Magnitude refers to the measure of energy of an earthquake specified on the Richter scale.

On the other hand, the intensity of an earthquake is a measure of the severity of shaking and its attendant damage on the surface of the earth.   – Helen Flores