Magnitude 6.6 quake rattles central Philippines

MANILA, Philippines—A magnitude 6.6 earthquake shook several provinces in Bicol region and the Visayas Tuesday morning and state seismologists say that aftershocks are expected.

The strong quake was centered five kilometers southwest of Cataingan town in Masbate and it rattled a large swath of central Philippines, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

Paul Alanis, Phivolcs resident volcanologist in Albay, said the tremor that struck at 8:03 a.m. was felt in Bicol provinces, in the Visayas and in Quezon province. It occurred at a shallow depth of one kilometer.

Its magnitude was initially placed at 6.5.

Initial damage report by the Masbate disaster risk reduction and management council indicated that some structures collapsed and cracks were seen in buildings including the town hall in Cataingan. Infrastructures were also damaged in Uson town.

Intensity IV was recorded in Mapanas, Northern Samar; Legazpi City, Albay; and Lezo, Aklan.

Intensity III was recorded in the City of Iloilo, while intensity I was recorded in President Roxas, Capiz.

Meanwhile, instrumental intensities were likewise reported in the following areas:

• Intensity V – Masbate City, Masbate
• Intensity IV – Palo, Leyte; City of Iloilo; City of Roxas, Capiz; Naval, Biliran;
• Intensity III – City of Bago, Negros Occidental; Malinao, Aklan; Jamindan, Capiz; Ormoc City
• Intensity II – Gumaca, Quezon; City of Sipalay, Negros Occidental; Valderrama, Antique; Sipocot, Camarines Sur; Talibon, Bohol; San Francisco, Cebu
• Intensity I – Malay, Aklan; City of Gingoog, Misamis Oriental

Earlier on Monday five quakes with magnitude ranging from 2.5 to 4.6 also struck Cataingan town

The Philippines sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” where continental plates collide causing frequent seismic and volcanic activity. With a report from Mar S. Arguelles, Inquirer Southern Luzon

JE