Some Baguio schools suspend classes after quake

At least three schools in Baguio City suspended classes on Friday after a powerful quake rocked the nation's summer capital. Radio dzBB's Allan Gatus reported that two of the schools were St. Louis Learning Center and University of Baguio Elementary School. The report also quoted the Office of the Civil Defense as saying that the school department heads decided on the class suspensions. OCD teams went around the city Friday morning to assess the damage to property. Earlier, on Thursday, two quakes rocked Baguio in less than three hours. On Friday, a magnitude-5 earthquake rocked Baguio and parts of Northern Luzon and state seismologists warned of possible aftershocks. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the quake was tectonic in origin and was recorded at 6:20 a.m. Friday's quake was felt at Intensity IV in Baguio City, Phivolcs said. Magnitude and intensity According to the United States Geological Survey’s (USGS), magnitude and intensity measure different characteristics of earthquakes. "Magnitude measures the energy released at the source of the earthquake. Magnitude is determined from measurements on seismographs," the USGS site said. "Intensity measures the strength of shaking produced by the earthquake at a certain location. Intensity is determined from effects on people, human structures, and the natural environment," the USGS added. Baguio quake Meanwhile, according to Phivolcs, the Intensity IV quake in Baguio is “Moderately Strong" or felt generally by people indoors and by some people outdoors. “Light sleepers are awakened. Vibration is felt like a passing of heavy truck. Hanging objects swing considerably," Phivolcs said. "Dinner, plates, glasses, windows and doors rattle. Floors and walls of wood framed buildings creak," the agency added. "Standing motor cars may rock slightly. Liquids in containers are slightly disturbed. Water in containers oscillate strongly. Rumbling sound may sometimes be heard," Phivolcs said. – VVP, GMA News