Quake rattles Metro

A small earthquake shook buildings in parts of Metro Manila and neighboring Rizal and Bulacan provinces Wednesday but caused no damage, authorities said.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the quake had a magnitude of 3.8 and hit at about 10.07 a.m. and had not been caused by the movement of any of the major active faults.

A particular concern is the West Valley Fault which cuts directly under Metro Manila and is feared to trigger the so-called “big one.”

Government seismologists as well as international experts have warned that the chaotic megacity of about 15 million people is unprepared for a major quake.

Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum said Wednesday’s earthquake was caused by the movement of an unnamed fault somewhere in the Sierra Madre mountains.

The epicenter  was placed at 31 km northeast of Doña Remedios Trinidad town in Bulacan with a focus depth of 13 km.

Solidum said no aftershocks are anticipated. Jeannette I. Andrade and AFP