Magnitude 4.8 quake jolts Eastern Samar town

MANILA, Philippines — A magnitude 4.9 earthquake jolted the Eastern Samar town of General MacArthur on Tuesday afternoon, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported.

According to the Phivolcs, the earthquake, which is tectonic of origin, struck at 2:56 p.m.

READ: Phivolcs: No tsunami threat to PH from 6.8-magnitude Vanuatu quake

Its epicenter was tracked 7 kilometers northwest of General Macarthur, with a depth of 29 kilometers.

Phivolcs recorded the following intensities:

• Intensity III – San Julian, City of Borongan, General MacArthur, Balangkayan, Maydolong, Llorente, Salcedo, and Hernani, Eastern Samar; City of Tacloban, Leyte
• Intensity II – City of Baybay, Babatngon, Palo, Silago, and Pastrana, Leyte; Balangiga, Eastern Samar

Meanwhile, instrumental intensities were recorded in the following areas:

• Intensity III – Borongan City, Eastern Samar; Dulag, Leyte;
• Intensity II – Hernani, Eastern Samar; Abuyog, Alangalang, and Palo, Leyte; Silago, Southern Leyte
• Intensity I – Leyte, Hilongos, and Hinundayan, Leyte; Palapag and Rosario, Northern Samar; Prieto Diaz, Sorsogon; Hinunangan, Southern Leyte

No aftershocks or damage to properties are expected from the earthquake. /gsg