By Brian Jules Campued
A magnitude 5.7 earthquake rocked the waters off Northern Samar on Monday morning, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.
State seismologists reported that the quake hit 34 kilometers northwest of Pambujan around 11:39 a.m.
Based on the information bulletin of Phivolcs, as of 12:24 p.m., the tectonic quake had a depth of focus of 54 km.
Intensity V was felt in Bobon, Catarman, Laoang, Lavezares, Palapag, Rosario, and San Roque in Northern Samar; while intensity IV was registered in Pilar and City of Sorsogon, Sorsogon.
Intensity III was experienced in the cities of Legazpi and Tabaco in Albay; Virac, Catandaunes; Masbate, Masbate; Bulusan and Irosin, Sorsogon; as well as Burauen and Javier, Leyte.
Intensity II was felt in Calubian, Hilongos, Leyte, and Mahaplag in Leyte, as well as Hinunangan and Sogod in Southern Leyte.
Meanwhile, the following instrumental intensities were recorded:
- Intensity V – Rosario and San Roque, Northern Samar.
- Intensity IV – Bulusan and City of Sorsogon, Sorsogon; Can-Avid, Eastern Samar; Abuyog, Leyte; and Gandara, Samar.
- Intensity III – City of Legazpi and City of Tabaco, Albay; City of Masbate and Uson, Masbate; Pilar, Sorsogon; Sulat, Eastern Samar; Alangalang, Carigara, Dulag, and Javier, Leyte.
- Intensity II – Tinambac, Camarines Sur; Aroroy, Batuan, Cataingan, Esperanza, and Milagros, Masbate; Burauen, Calubian, Hilongos, Kananga, Leyte, Mahaplag, and Palo, Leyte; and Hinunangan and Sogod, Southern Leyte.
- Intensity I – Caramoan and Pasacao, Camarines Sur; Claveria, Masbate; City of Roxas, Capiz; Ciy of Cebu; and Albuera, Leyte.
According to Phivolcs, no damage is expected from the earthquake, but aftershocks are likely. – av