Magnitude 6.3 earthquake hits Calatagan, Batangas; tremor felt in Metro Manila

MANILA, Philippines — A magnitude 6.3 earthquake, initially reported as 6.2, struck Calatagan, Batangas, early Thursday morning.

State seismologists confirmed tremors were felt in parts of Metro Manila.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported a tectonic tremor with a depth of 119 kilometers, occurring at 10:19 a.m., 15 kilometers southwest of the region.

However, no tsunami warning was issued following the earthquake,  Phivolcs said.

Quake disruptions

In the aftermath of the earthquake, various institutions, businesses, and transportation networks endured significant disruptions, leading to temporary closures.

DZBB reported that students at the National Teacher’s College in P. Casal, Manila, swiftly evacuated their classrooms as a safety measure, bringing an ongoing graduation rehearsal to a halt.

A faculty member who spoke to DZBB revealed that the students’ familiarity with earthquake drills ensured a smooth evacuation, with no signs of panic or surprise observed.

READ: Earthquake preparedness saves lives: What to do

As a precautionary measure, operations of Light Rail Transit lines 1, 2, and 3, as well as MRT-3, have been suspended until further inspections are conducted by their respective management teams.

Additionally, the Philippine National Railways (PNR) has ceased its services until the rail system undergoes a thorough inspection.

Why did the earthquake shake multiple areas?

It was puzzling to many people why the tremor was felt so widely.

Phivolcs chief Teresito Bacolcol explained that the earthquake’s widespread impact was due to the depth of its source. He likened it to how the beam of a flashlight spreads out and illuminates a bigger area as it goes farther from its source.

Phivolcs has reported that an earthquake with Intensity IV was felt in Quezon City. Residents are advised to brace themselves for potential aftershocks and property damage, as the seismic event is expected to have repercussions.

But Office of Civil Defense Joint Information Center head Diego Mariano told reporters that “no major damage or casualties” were reported since the ongoing assessment.

Meanwhile, here are the areas which reported felt intensities:

Intensity IV (strong): Manila City; Mandaluyong City; Quezon City; Valenzuela City, Malolos, Bulacan; Batangas City; Ibaan, Lemery, Nasugbu and Talisay in Batangas; Dasmariñas, Cavite; Tagaytay City; and Tanay, Rizal

Intensity III (weak): Pateros, Las Piñas City; Makati City; Marikina City; Parañaque City; Pasig City; Obando, Bulacan; Laurel, Batangas; Bacoor City and Imus City in Cavite; San Pablo City and San Pedro City in Laguna; and San Mateo in Rizal

Intensity II (slightly felt): Caloocan City; San Juan City; Muntinlupa City; San Fernando, La Union; Alaminos City and Bolinao in Pangasinan; Santa Maria, Bulacan; and Bamban, Tarlac.

Intensity I (scarcely perceptible): San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan

These areas also recorded instrumental intensities:

Intensity IV (strong): Abucay, Bataan; Lemery, Batangas; Malolos City and San Ildefonso, Bulacan; Tagaytay City; San Jose, Occidental Mindoro; Calapan City and Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro; and San
Antonio, Olongapo City, Cabangan in Zambales

Intensity III (weak): Dinalupihan, Mariveles in Bataan; Batangas City, Sta. Teresita, Cuenca, Bauan, Talisay, Laurel, and San Luis in Batangas; Paombong, Guiguinto, Marilao and Pulilan in Bulacan; Bacoor City, Carmona, Ternate, Naic in Cavite; Las Pinas, Malabon City, Pasig City in Metro Manila; Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija; Abra De Ilog, Occidental Mindoro; Roxas, Oriental Mindoro; Guagua, Pampanga; Mauban, Quezon; Tanay, Rizal; San
Marcelino, Subic, Zambales

Intensity II (slightly felt): Baler, Aurora; Rosario, Malvar in Batangas; Angat, Obando, Norzagaray, Santa Maria in Bulacan; Calamba, and San Pablo in Laguna; San Juan City, Pasay and Quezon City in Metro Manila; San Antonio, Nueva
Ecija; Victoria, Oriental Mindoro; San Fernando, Pampanga; Bani and Infanta in Pangasinan; Tayabas, Infanta, Lopez, Dolores and Alabat in Quezon; Bamban, Tarlac

Intensity I (scarcely perceptible): Paranaque City, Metro Manila; San Jose, Gabaldon and Bongabon in Nueva Ecija; Magalang, Pampanga; Lingayen, Bolinao, and Urdaneta in Pangasinan; Mulanay, Lucena City, and Gumaca in Quezon; Taytay, Antipolo, and Angono, in Rizal; Santa Ignacia, Ramos, and Tarlac City in Tarlac

Instrumental intensity is measured by instruments near the epicenter, while felt intensity is recorded by humans using the Phivolcs Earthquake Intensity Scale. With a report from abc

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This is a developing story.

JMS/abc