Successive quakes rattle Ilocos Norte town on New Years’ Day

LAOAG CITY, Philippines-–At least six successive earthquakes rattled residents of Burgos town in Ilocos Norte province on New Year’s Day. The strongest, which occurred at 4:01 a.m., registered at magnitude 5.5 and its epicenter was traced 105 kilometers northwest of the town.

A bulletin released by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the temblor, with a depth of 40 kilomters, was felt at Intensity 3 in Laoag City and in Sarrat town.

Two more tremors struck at 5:32 a.m. and 5:45 a.m., both registering at magnitude 4.3, and followed by a stronger ground shaking at 7:41 a.m., registering at magnitude 4.8.

Two milder tremors, both measured at magnitude 4.3, struck at 8:01 a.m. and 9:26 a.m.

All earthquakes were tectonic in origin or caused by movements of the earth’s crust.

Cynthia Iglesia of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration office at the Laoag International Airport said no tsunami alert was raised by Phivolcs after the series of earthquakes.

“Since yesterday [when two quakes also struck Burgos], there was no tsunami alert sent. Judging by the shaking yesterday, no tsunami is likely to occur today because the depth of the earthquake was deep,” she said.

Iglesia said even Ilocos Norte  Governor Imee Marcos sent her a text message on Wednesday asking details of the successive earthquakes.

“There is no cause for alarm. The tremors were not that strong to create tsunami,” Iglesia said.

These quakes came a day after two mild earthquakes, registering at magnitudes 4.3 and 4, also struck Burgos town. No earthquake-related casualty or damage, however, was reported.