Magnitude 6.1 quake rocks Sulu Sea off Zamboanga City, aftershocks expected

MANILA, Philippines―A magnitude 6.1 earthquake hit the Sulu Sea off Zamboanga City late Monday afternoon with aftershocks expected, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

Phivolcs adjusted the scale after it initially said that it was a 6.5-magnitude quake.

The quake, which was tectonic in origin, was recorded at 5:29 p.m.

Its epicenter was located 200 kilometers northwest of Zamboanga City and had a depth of 31 kilometers.

Intensity IV was felt in Zamboanga City while Intensity II was recorded in Dumaguete City, Bayawan City, Iloilo City, Oroquieta City and Dipolog City. Meanwhile, Intensity I was recorded in Busay town in Cebu province, La Carlota City in Negros Occidental and Lugait town in Negros Oriental, Phivolcs said.

No damage was expected from the earthquake.

According to the Phivolcs Earthquake Intensity Scale, an Intensity IV quake is “moderately strong” and felt generally by people indoors and some people outdoors.

RELATED STORIES

4.5-magnitude quake hits Zamboanga

5.4 quake shakes Zamboanga del Norte