Quake jolts 6 provinces

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said a 5.5 magnitude earthquake hit Catanduanes and rocked parts of Sorsogon yesterday morning.

Phivolcs said a magnitude 5 tremor was also recorded in Cagayan and felt in some parts of Ilocos Sur, Kalinga and Ilocos Norte yesterday afternoon.

The quake was felt at Intensity 3 in Virac, Baras and Viga area of Catanduanes province, Intensity 2 in Sorsogon City, and Intensity 1 in Legaspi City and Irosin in Sorsogon province.

The earth’s movement, which was said to be tectonic in origin, was recorded at 8:17 a.m. at 62 kilometers southeast of Virac, Catanduanes.

Phivolcs said the earthquake in Cagayan was felt at Intensity 5 in Calayan, Cagayan; Intensity 4 in Pasuquin, Sarrat, and Laoag City in Ilocos Norte and in Ballesteros and Claveria, Cagayan; Intensity 2 in Callao and Penablanca, Cagayan and in Lubuagan, Kalinga; and Intensity 1 in Sinait, Ilocos Sur.

The tremor was recorded at around 12:46 p.m. with the epicenter traced at 38 kilometers northeast of Calayan, Cagayan. It is said to be tectonic in origin.

Phivolcs said there were no reported damages, but aftershocks are expected.

 – With Charlie Lagasca