ABS-CBN.COM
MANILA, Philippines (2nd UPDATE) – A
magnitude 5.4 earthquake hit Aurora on Thursday morning, the Philippine Institute
of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.
Phivolcs said the earthquake
occurred at 10:27 a.m. Its epicenter was located 17 kilometers northeast of
Baler.
The quake, which was tectonic in
origin, had a depth of 5 kms. The United States Geological Survey, meanwhile,
measured the quake's magnitude at 5.3.
Phivolcs said the following quake intensities were felt in these areas:
- Intensity V - Baler, Aurora
- Intensity IV -Palayan City, Cabiao, Bongabon and San Jose, Nueva Ecija; Santiago City, Isabela
- Intensity III - Tarlac City; Cabanatuan City; Dagupan City; Cauayan City, Isabela; Infanta, Quezon; Mandaluyong City; Quezon City; Taguig
- City; Pasay City; Antipolo City
- Intensity II - Clemente, Tarlac; Aglipay and Maddela, Quirino; Manila City; Malolos City, Bulacan
- Intensity I - Clark, Pampanga; Makati City
Aftershocks are expected from the
quake, according to Phivolcs executive director Renato Solidum.
"Pwedeng magdulot ito ng
aftershocks na most likely ang makakaramdam ay yung mga nasa epicenter na
Aurora," Solidum told dzMM.
Solidum also advised the public not
to panic, as the quake only had a moderate strength. He added that a tsunami
being generated by the quake is unlikely.
He said significant structural
damage is not expected from the quake. However, he said weak buildings near the
epicenter may still sustain minor cracks.
