Magnitude 6.3 earthquake strikes Luzon —PHIVOLCS

A strong earthquake struck Luzon on Friday afternoon, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

PHIVOLCS upgraded the recorded magnitude of the earthquake to 6.3.

The epicenter was located in Lian, Batangas.

The earthquake, which occurred at 1:28 p.m., had a depth of 177 kilometers.

It was felt at Intensity IV in Nasugbu, Calatagan and Balayan, Batangas; Calapan, Sablayan and Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro; Manila; Parañaque City; Pasig City; Taguig City; Pasay City; Rosario, Maragondon, Noveleta and Dasmarinas, Cavite; Floridablanca, Pampanga; Olongapo City; Subic and Iba, Zambales.

Intensity III was felt in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro; San Jose, Occidental Mindoro; Tagaytay City; Canlubang and Calamba, Laguna; Indang and Alfonso Cavite; Bocaue, Malolos, Obando and Balagtas, Bulacan; Dagupan City; Dau, Pampanga; Lingayen, Pangasinan; Bagac, Bataan; Baguio City; Pateros; Quezon City; Makati City; San Juan City; Marikina City; Cainta and San Mateo, Rizal..

It was Intensity II in Sta. Rosa, Laguna; Gasan, Marinduque; Magalang and Sto. Tomas, Pampanga; Tanauan City, Batangas, while it was Intensity I in Talisay, Batangas; Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija; Meycauayan, Bulacan; Atok, Benguet.

The tremor resulted in shaking buildings and forcing the evacuation of offices and schools throughout Metro Manila.

There were no immediate reports of deaths or injuries.

The US Geological Survey initially recorded the earthquake with a magnitude 6.6 but downgraded it to 6.2.

Manila Trench

In an interview on radio dzBB, PHIVOLCS chief Renato Solidum said the earthquake was due to the movement of the Manila Trench.

"Ang pagyanig kanina ay isang lindol na dulot ng tinatawag na pagkilos along the Manila Trench. Ang lindol po ay malalim, 161 kilometers, kaya marami din po ang nakaramdam," Solidum said.

Solidum said that this will not generate a tsunami due to its depth.

Meanwhile, aftershocks are also expected.

"Posible naman magkaroon ng aftershocks pero remember itong lindol ay malalim kaya hindi siya masyadong destructive," he said.

Social media

On social media, YouScoopers shared their reactions to the aftermath of the quake.

The Philippines is on the geologically active Pacific Ring of Fire and experiences frequent earthquakes. —Reuters/Marlly Rome Bondoc/KG/JST, GMA News