4.2 magnitude earthquake hits Bohol, Cebu

TAGBILARAN CITY–Hazel Panlita was used to the aftershocks since the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that hit Bohol on Oct. 15, 2013.

 
But on Tuesday morning, she got scared when a 4.2 magnitude earthquake woke up many residents of this city.

 
“There were many aftershocks in Bohol but I didn’t feel it; but this morning’s aftershock was really scary because it was strong,” said Panlita, 34,of Barangay Bool in Tagbilaran City.

 
According to Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the tremor affected parts of Cebu and Bohol at 4:19 a.m. with the epicenter located 2 km northeast of Cortes town, Bohol.

 
The earthquake, which was tectonic in origin, was felt at Intensity 4 in Cortes, Maribojoc and Antequera towns; Intensity 3 in Tagbilaran and towns of  Loon, Balilihan, San Isidro, Corella, Sikatuna and Loboc; and Intensity two in Argao and Sibonga towns in Cebu.

 
“Oops! Linog (Earthquake)! It woke me up so early,” said James Tripoli of Pooc Oriental in Tubigon town.

 
Engr. Nolan Evangelista, acting chief of Phivolcs in Bohol, explained the intensity of the shaking of the ground depends on the stability of the soil.

 
“If the soil is soft, the larger intensity to experience. If the soil is hard, the less intensity to experience,” said Evangelista.

 
Evangelista said that Tuesday’s tremor was a small scale magnitude.

 
“Nothing to worry because the aftershock has released a small scale energy,” Evangelista said.

 
Mario Calamba of the Philippine Red Cross-Bohol chapter said they had not received any reports of injuries or damages.