Magnitude 5 earthquake hits Masbate, aftershocks expected

MANILA, Philippines — A magnitude 5 earthquake jolted Masbate Wednesday afternoon, with aftershocks expected, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

State seismologists detected the earthquake at 5:15 p.m. and traced its epicenter 11 kilometers northwest of Dimasalang, Masbate.

Phivolcs recorded the following intensities: 

Intensity V – City of Masbate, and Uson, Masbate

Intensity IV – Aroroy, Batuan, Dimasalang, Mobo, San Fernando, and San Jacinto, Masbate

Intensity III – Legazpi City, and Daraga, Albay; Baleno, Cataingan, Milagros, Monreal, and Palanas, Masbate; Irosin, Sorsogon

Intensity II – Guinobatan, Albay; Pio V. Corpuz, and Placer, Masbate; City of Sorsogon, and Bulusan, Sorsogon; City of Roxas, Capiz; Allen, Rosario, San Isidro and Victoria, Northern Samar

Intensity I – Bobon, Northern Samar

Intensity V is classified by the Phivolcs as “strong”, wherein tremors are “generally felt by most people indoors and outdoors.” 

Instrumental intensities:

Intensity V – City of Masbate, Masbate

Intensity III – City of Legazpi, Albay

Intensity II – City of Tabaco, Albay; City of Iriga, and Pasacao, Camarines Sur; City of Sorsogon, and Bulusan, Sorsogon; Rosario, Northern Samar

Intensity I – Gumaca, Quezon

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

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