Magnitude 5 earthquake jolts Masbate

MANILA, Philippines — A magnitude 5 earthquake hit Masbate on Saturday, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

State seismologists recorded the quake at 3:22 a.m., and traced the epicenter some six kilometers northeast of Masbate City.

The tectonic earthquake had a depth of 15 kilometers.

Phivolcs reported the following Intensities in these areas:

Intensity V – Masbate City
Intensity III – Legazpi City, Albay; Irosin and Sorsogon City, Sorsogon
Intensity II – Aroroy, Masbate

Instrumental Intensities were listed in these areas:

Intensity III – Legazpi City, Albay; Mahaplag, Leyte
Intensity II – Tabaco, Albay
Intensity I – Naval, Biliran; Iriga City and Pili, Camarines Sur; Calubian and Ormoc City, Leyte; Prieto Diaz, Sorsogon

Phivolcs also said that aftershocks and damage are expected.

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