6.0 magnitude quake schakes parts of Bicol

A moderate to strong earthquake occurred east of Catanduanes early Thursday morning, shaking parts of the Bicol Region, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

The tremor occurred at 2:49 a.m. with a magnitude of 6.0 and epicenter estimated at 156 kilometers east of Virac, Cataduanes with a depth of 31 kilometers, Phivolcs said.

The agency said the origin of the quake was tectonic.

The tremor was felt as Intensity 3 in Virac, Catanduanes and Naga City; Intensity 2 in Legaspi City; Cabid-an, Sorsogon; and Guinayangan, Quezon.

No damage was reported and Phivolcs wasn’t expecting aftershocks.

The area, which is part of the Philippine Trench, also experienced two mild earthquakes a week ago.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) said a magnitude 5.5 quake occurred 140 east southeast of Pandan, Catanduanes at 10:02 a.m. January 21. It had a depth of 35 kilometers.

At 11:01 p.m. of the same day, another quake occurred in the area. The quake was measured at magnitude 4.7 with the epicenter estimated at 180 northeast of Calbayog, Samar. It had a depth of 56.7 kilometers.

The Philippines lies in a region known as the Pacific Ring of Fire that is seismically and volcanically active.

source:Inquirer