Magnitude-5.6 earthquake hits off the eastern Samar coast

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MANILA, Philippines — A magnitude-5.6 earthquake struck off the coast of Eastern Samar on Thursday afternoon, the state seismology bureau said.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the epicenter of the tectonic quake was located east of Hernani, Eastern Samar. It has a depth of focus of seven kilometers.

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The following intensities were also felt in the areas below:

Intensity V

• Eastern Samar – Hernani and Llorente

Intensity IV

• Eastern Samar- Gen. MacArthur, Balangkayan, Maydolong, Salcedo and City of Borongan

Intensity III

• Eastern Samar – Quinapondan, San Julian, Sulat, Taft, Mercedes, Guiuan, Giporlos, Lawaan and Balangiga
• Leyte – City of Tacloban

Intensity II

• Leyte – Can-avid, Dolores, Oras, San Policarpo; Palo, Tanauan, Dulag, Babatngon, San Miguel, Pastrana, Barugo, Carigara,
• Tabontabon and Julita Samar – Basey and Santa Rita

The following instrumental intensities were also felt:

Intensity II

• Eastern Samar – Quinapondan, Can-Avid
• Leyte – Villaba, Abuyog, Calubian, Carigara, and Leyte

Intensity I

• Leyte – Mahaplag, Javier, Hilongos
• Northern Samar – Rosario
• Southern Leyte – Hinunangan

In its latest advisory Thursday afternoon, Phivolcs said no damage was expected, but aftershocks may occur.

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It said in a separate advisory that there was no tsunami threat from the quake.