Tremor jolts parts of Luzon

MANILA, Philippines - A magnitude 5.8 earthquake rocked parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila, before dawn yesterday but did not cause any damage or injury, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

Phivolcs director Renato Solidum said the tremor occurred at 12:42 a.m. with its epicenter traced at 42 kilometers northeast of Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro.

It was felt at Intensity 4 in Ilijan, Batangas and Abra de Ilog, Oriental Mindoro; Intensity 3 in Calapan and Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro, Tagaytay City, Malate, Manila, Alabang, Muntinlupa, and Clark Pampanga; Intensity 2 in Malolos, Bulacan and Intensity 1 in Nichols, Pasay City.

Solidum said aftershocks are expected from the quake. An aftershock is a smaller earthquake that occurs after a previous large earthquake, in the same area of the main shock.

The Philippines lies on the so-called Pacific “Ring of Fire,” where continental plates collide, causing frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity.

Phivolcs said about 20 quakes hit the country everyday but only a few are felt.