Magnitude 5 earthquakes jolt Catanduanes and Quezon

MANILA – Two earthquakes with magnitudes 5.3 and 5 were recorded in Catanduanes and Quezon late Wednesday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

The magnitude 5.3 quake jolted 60 kilometers (km) southeast of Baras at 11:10 p.m.

It was 23 km. deep.

Phivolcs recorded the following instrumental intensities:

Intensity III - Virac, Catanduanes

Intensity II - City of Tabaco, Albay; Bulusan, Prieto Diaz, and City of Sorsogon, Sorsogon; Rosario, and San Roque, Northern Samar

Intensity I - City of Legazpi, Albay; Pili, and Sagñay, Camarines Sur, Mapanas, Northern Samar; Gandara, Samar

Instrumental intensity is measured using the intensity meter that measures ground acceleration.

Reported intensity, on the other hand, is the traditional way of knowing the intensity based on reports by people who felt the earthquake.

Meanwhile, a magnitude 5 quake hit 90 km. northeast of Jomalig, Quezon at 10:11 p.m.

The tectonic quake had a depth of 17 km.

Intensity III was felt in Quezon City; Jomalig, Quezon; Capalonga, and Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte.

Intensity II was reported in the cities of Malabon and Pasig; Guinayangan, Quezon; Basud, Labo, Mercedes, and Paracale, Camarines Norte, while Intensity I was felt in the cities of Mandaluyong and Taguig.

Damage is not expected from both earthquakes, but aftershocks are possible, Phivolcs said. (PNA)