Magnitude 5.0 quake hits seas east of Ilocos Sur; Intensity IV in Candon

MANILA, Philippines – A Magnitude 5.0 earthquake hit the seas east of Ilocos Sur on Monday afternoon, the Philippine Institute for Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

Phivolcs’ latest bulletin said that the tectonic earthquake was recorded 57 kilometers southwest of Candon City in Ilocos Sur, at a shallow depth of just four kilometers.

Intensity IV was recorded in Candon City of Ilocos Sur, while Intensity III was recorded in Sinait, Vigan City, Santa and Magsingal, Sta. Lucia, Santa Maria, Sta. Cruz, all in Ilocos Sur, and in San Fernando, La Union.

Meanwhile, Intensity II was felt in Cabugao, San Juan, Bantay, San Ildefonso, Narvacan, Nagbukel, Tagudin, Burgos, Santiago, Sigay, and Suyo towns of Ilocos Sur, and in the areas of Banna, Bacarra, Laoag City, and Batac in Ilocos Norte.

Instrumental Intensities were also recorded: Intensity III in Vigan City, Intensity II in Sinait, and Intensity I in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte.

Initially, state seismologists recorded the quake as a Magnitude 4.8, at a depth of one kilometer. The latest updates also said that aftershocks due to the movement are possible now.

Still, no damage to properties was recorded, while no tsunami warnings have been raised despite the off-shore movements.