3 quakes rock Masbate

LEGAZPI CITY –– Three successive quakes jolted Masbate province on Thursday morning, with a 4.4-magnitude quake as the highest recorded by a seismic instrument, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

A Phivolcs bulletin said they recorded a 4.4-magnitude quake 15 kilometers north of Dimasalang town at 3:56 a.m.

It was followed by a 3-magnitude tremor at 5:15 a.m., some four kilometers from Batuan town.

The third quake was recorded at 2.9 magnitude some seven kilometers north of Palanas town.

The agency said the quakes were tectonic in origin with depths ranging from 18 to 27 kilometers.

No damage was reported.

ZB