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5.7 magnitude quake jolts Occidental Mindoro


A 5.7 magnitude earthquake was recorded off Occidental Mindoro past 1 a.m. on Monday, with the tremor felt in Metro Manila.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), the tectonic quake struck at 1:12 a.m., with its epicenter 16 kilometers northeast of Looc, Occidental Mindoro and at a depth of 66 kilometers.

 

 

 

These areas experienced the following intensities on the PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale:

Intensity IV:

  • Looc, Abra De Ilog, Lubang, Sablayan and Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro;
  • Calatagan, Lian, Lipa City, Malvar, Mataas na Kahoy, Balayan, Taal, 
  • Tuy, Bauan, Mabini, and Nasugbu, Batangas;
  • Pola, Calapan City, Baco, Naujan and Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro;
  • Malolos City and Obando, Bulacan; 
  • Cavite City, General Trias City, Naic, Amadeo, Bacoor City, Dasmariñas City, Tagaytay City and Tanza, Cavite;
  • Biñan City and Cabuyao City, Laguna;
  • Las Piñas City; Malabon City; Mandaluyong City; City of Manila; Marikina City; Muntinlupa City; Parañaque City; San Juan City; Taguig City; Pateros, Metro Manila; 
  • San Mateo and Taytay, Rizal


Intensity III:

  • Santo Tomas City and Tingloy, Batangas;
  • Makati City; Pasay City; Pasig City; Quezon City;
  • Valenzuela City;
  • Santa Cruz, Occidental Mindoro; 
  • Antipolo City, Rizal;
  • Socorro, Oriental Mindoro;
  • Floridablanca, Pampanga

 

Intensity II:

  • Los Baños, Laguna;
  • Palayan City and Gapan City, Nueva Ecija


Intensity I:

  • Arayat, Pampanga

 

The quake and volcano monitoring agency said it expects damage and aftershocks.

A magnitude 4.5 aftershock 19 kilometers northeast of Looc was recorded at 1:40 a.m.

Fourteen minutes after the quake, a second, smaller quake of magnitude 2.9 was recorded at 1:26 a.m., 28 kilometers northeast of Looc.

 

 

About half an hour before the quake, at 12:39 a.m., a 2.6 magnitude quake was recorded near Calatagan, Batangas in around the same area.

PHIVOLCS OIC and Science Undersecretary Renato Solidum Jr. said in an interview on Unang Balita that 112 aftershocks have been recorded as of 5 a.m.

 

Solidum said the magnitude 5.7 earthquake was triggered by the movement in the Manila Trench.

"Ang sanhi ng pagkilos diyan sa bandang Lubang Island at sa pagitan ng Calatagan, Batangas ay ang pagsuksok ng bato ng West Philippine Sea sa Manila Trench, isang earthquake generator na nagmumula sa Taiwan hanggang Mindoro," he said.

(The cause of the earthquake near Lubang Island and Calatagan, Batangas is the movement of rocks in the West Philippine Sea to the Manila Trench, an earthquake generator running from Taiwan to Mindoro.)

Solidum said a magnitude 6.6 earthquake occurred offshore in Calatagan, Batangas last July 24 and this is related to movement in the Manila Trench.

"So far wala tayong nakukuha o nare-receive na report na may nasaktan o na-damage. Wala tayong inaasahang significant damage," he added.

(So far we have not yet received a report of injuries or damage. We are not expecting significant damage).

Some residents of a condominium in Manila hurriedly went down as they felt the earthquake before dawn on Monday, according to a separate report on Unang Balita.

 

Solidum reminded residents to still observe health and safety protocols during evacuation.

"Kung talagang kinakailangang magkaroon ng paglikas at lalong lalo
na kung malakas talaga ang pagyanig, kasi sa taas ng condominium
ang pagkaramdam nila ay mataas, itong earthquake evacuation ay magiging priority over stay at home," he said.

(If evacuation is needed and more so if the earthquake is strong -- and residents in condominiums will feel this more due to the height of the building -- the earthquake evacuation will be a priority over stay at home.)

"Magkaroon ng physical distancing... Pumunta sa open area... Kung magkukumpol, mga miyembro ng pamilya at malayo sa iba, at pagkatapos ay balik agad," Solidum said.

(Observe social distancing. Go to an open area. Huddle only with members of the family away from others, then afterward [when it is safe], return immediately to the building.) — BM/KG, GMA News

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