Magnitude 5.5 quake jolts Eastern Samar, aftershocks expected — Phivolcs

MANILA, Philippines — Eastern Samar was jolted by a magnitude 5.5 earthquake on Saturday, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

State seismologists warned that aftershocks are expected. 

Phivolcs detected the earthquake at 4:25 a.m. and located its epicenter 14 kilometers northwest of Homonhon Island in Guiuan, Eastern Samar. 

The earthquake was felt up to Intensity IV, which is classified by Phivolcs as “moderately strong”, and “felt generally by people indoors and by some people outdoors”. 

Phivolcs reported the following Intensities: 

Intensity IV – Guiuan, Lawaan, Mercedes, and Salcedo in Eastern Samar; Abuyog, Alangalang, City of Baybay, Dulag, Javier, La Paz, Palo, Santa Fe, Tabontabon, Tanauan, and Tolosa in Leyte and San Francisco in Southern Leyte

Intensity III – General MacArthur, Eastern Samar; Babatngon, Barugo, Leyte, Pastrana, and Tunga, Leyte; City of Tacloban

Intensity II – Maydolong, Eastern Samar; Albuera, Leyte; Ormoc City

Intensity I – City of Cebu

Instrumental Intensities:

Intensity IV – Quinapondan, Eastern Samar; Abuyog, City of Baybay, Dulag, and La Paz, Leyte

Intensity III – Alangalang, and Albuera, Leyte; City of Surigao, Surigao del Norte

Intensity II – Talibon, Bohol; Calubian, and Palo, Leyte; Ormoc City; Marabut, Samar; City of Maasin, Southern Leyte

Intensity I – Argao, and City of Bogo, Cebu; Isabel, Leyte; Rosario, and San Roque, Northern Samar

 The tectonic earthquake’s depth of focus was 30  kilometers.

 Phivolcs said that no damage is expected. 

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