Phivolcs upgrades Monday quake
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has upgraded the magnitude of earthquake off Occidental Mindoro to 5.8, as more areas were reported to have felt the moderately strong earthquake last Monday evening.
The quake, initially measured at 5.4magnitude, was felt as far as La Union at around 9:50 p.m. Monday.
Its epicenter was located at 20 kilometers (km) northeast of Looc, Occidental Mindoro.
According to Phivolcs science research analyst John Lery Deximo, the earthquake was generated from a local fault transecting the Philippine archipelago, which was the same fault that triggered the strong 7.1-magnitude Mindoro earthquake on November 15, 1994.
The 1994 tremor generated a tsunami, which accounted for majority of the casualties and significant damage on the northern shoreline communities of Mindoro. Based on the Phivolcs data, there were 78 casualties from this event.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Phivolcs received more reports of areas that felt last Monday’s tremor.
It was felt at Intensity 5 in Looc, Lubang and Paluan, Occidental Mindoro; and Batangas City. Phivolcs described an Intensity 5 earthquake as strong and is generally felt by most people indoors and outdoors.
Meanwhile, Intensity 4 was felt in Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro, Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro; Tagaytay City; Gen. Trias and Bacoor, Cavite; San Pedro and Canlubang, Laguna; Calamba City; Paranaque City; Muntinlupa City; Pasay City; Makati City; and Mandaluyong City.
Phivolcs said an earthquake with this intensity is comparable to the “vibration of a passing heavy truck that is felt by people indoors and some people outdoors and may awaken light sleepers.”
Intensity 3 was felt in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro; Talisay, Tanauan and Agoncillo, Batangas; Taguig City; Manila City; Quezon City; Malolos, Obando and Bulacan, Bulacan; and Angeles City, which is relatively weak, “but some people may experience dizziness and nausea.”
It was “slightly felt” at Intensity 2 in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro; Antipolo City; Las Piñas City; Pasig City; Pateros, Metro Manila; Lucban, Quezon; and Plaridel and Marilao, Bulacan.
It was “scarcely perceptible” at Intensity 1 in San Fernando City in La Union.
Deximo said an aftershock measuring 2.0-magnitude on the Richter scale was recorded at 1:45 a.m. Tuesday. It originated at 17 km northeast of Calintaan, Occidental Mindoro. However, Deximo said the aftershock was not felt.
Phivolcs said there was no reported damage to property or loss of lives due to the earthquake, but aftershocks may still occur.