Phivolcs: Quakes rock three Luzon provinces

Predawn quakes, with the most powerful having a magnitude 5.3, hit three Luzon provinces on Wednesday but there were no reports of casualties or damage to property. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the most powerful of the predawn quakes occurred at 5:01 a.m. in Ilocos Norte. In its bulletin, Phivolcs said the quake measured magnitude 5.3, with the epicenter at 31 kilometers (km) southeast of Laoag City. Phivolcs said the quake was felt at Intensity III in Sinait, Cabugao, and Burgos, Ilocos Sur; and Intensity II in Pasuquin, Laoag City, and Batac and Sarrat in Ilocos Norte. The Phivolcs defines Intensity III as a "very feeble shock" felt by several persons at rest, and is strong enough for the duration to be appreciable. It defines Intensity II as an "extremely feeble shock" that can be recorded by several seismographs and felt by a small number of persons at rest. No damage or aftershock was expected from the Ilocos quake. Meanwhile, a quake measuring magnitude 2.8 was recorded in the Isabela area in Northern Luzon at 1:19 a.m., and was tectonic in origin. Phivolcs said the quake’s epicenter was at 44 km northeast of Ilagan, Isabela. A second quake was recorded at 2:24 a.m. and measured magnitude 2.6. It was also tectonic in origin. Phivolcs said the second quake’s epicenter was at 44 km southwest of Boac, Marinduque. However, Phivolcs did not immediately cite the specific areas where the two quakes were felt. No aftershocks were expected from both quakes, Phivolcs added. – VVP, GMA News