5.3 magnitude quake strikes at Northern Samar; no damage reported

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recorded on Sunday afternoon a magnitude 5.3 earthquake, which jolted portions of Northern Samar.

Phivolcs’ Seismological Observation and Earthquake Prediction Division detected at 2:30 p.m. the tectonic tremor and traced its epicenter at 40 kilometers northwest of Laoang, Northern Samar, with a depth of 32 kilometers.

Intensity 4 was felt in Laoang town while Intensity 3 was felt in the municipalities of Catarman, Palapag, and Bobon. Intensity 2 was recorded in Allen town, Northern Samar.

Phivolcs said that the quake did not cause any damage as the epicenter was at the sea off the coast of Northern Samar.

Likewise, the agency noted, that the focus of the earthquake was too deep that the temblor was hardly felt in other areas of the province.

Intensity 4 means the earthquake is strong enough to be felt by most people indoors and to cause hanging objects to swing and windows and doors to rattle.  Intensity 3 means many people indoors might feel the shaking but people outdoors might be unaware of it.  Intensity 2 means that people would feel the movement if they are at rest.