Less than 24 hours after Luzon was struck by a 6.1 magnitude earthquake, another strong tremor measuring 6.5 magnitude has jolted Eastern Samar Tuesday afternoon.
According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the 6.5 magnitude tremor was recorded around 1:37 p.m. Tuesday.
Its epicenter was located 9 kilometers northwest of San Julian, Eastern Samar, and was initially measured as a 6.2-magnitude quake.
The earthquake was felt as a “very strong” tremor at Intensity 6 in San Julian, and “strong” tremblor at Intensity 5 in Tacloban City; Catbalogan City; Gen. MacArthur, Salcedo and Guiuan, Eastern Samar; Naval, Biliran; Catarman, Northern Samar; and Palo and Pastrana, Leyte.
Meanwhile, it was “moderately strong” at Intensity 4 in Abuyog, Hilongos, Javier, Capoocan, Julieta, Baybay, Barogo, Jaro, MacArthur,
Matalum, Villaba, Leyte; San Francisco, Southern Leyte; Bislig City, Surigao Del Sur; Iloilo City; Naga City; Sorsogon City; and Panganiban, Catanduanes.
Intensity 3 or “weak” tremor was felt in Binalbagan, Negros Occidental; Cabalian, Southern Leyte; Dimasalang, Masbate;
Butuan City; and Cabadbaran City, and Intensity 2 or “slight” shaking in Bago City; and Bacolod City.
Phivolcs said the earthquake was tectonic in origin, which was caused by ground shaking primarily due to the sudden movement in the earth’s plates.
The quake was also shallow at a depth of 63 kilometers thus the strong ground shaking.
It said there is a possibility of damage to property or loss of lives due to the earthquake and aftershocks are expected to occur.
However, Phivolcs said there is no threat of tsunami due to the strong earthquake. (Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz)
