Phivolcs: Quakes rock Masbate, Batanes

Three earthquakes rocked the country Thursday - two in Masbate province in Bicol while one in Batanes islands in extreme northern Luzon. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the first quake in Masbate occurred at 12:30 p.m., and was tectonic in origin. In its report, Phivolcs said the quake measured Magnitude 4.5, and the epicenter was traced to 18 km northeast of Cataingan town. Phivolcs said the quake was felt at Intensity III in Palanas, Masbate; Intensity II in Masbate City; and Intensity I in Tabon in Juban town in Sorsogon.

A second quake was felt at 12:31 p.m. in Masbate, measuring Magnitude 2.6. The epicenter was traced to 32 km southeast of Masbate town in Masbate. Phivolcs said the second quake was tectonic and was felt at Intensity II in Cataingan, Masbate. No aftershock was expected in both quakes. Meanwhile, Phivolcs said a Magnitude-4.9 quake was felt in Batanes at 10:08 a.m., with the epicenter traced to 48 km southeast of Basco. It was tectonic in origin and was felt at Intensity III in Basco, Batanes. No damage or aftershock was expected from the Batanes quake, Phivolcs said. - KBK, GMANews.TV