5.6 magnitude quake rocks Eastern Samar

A magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck Eastern Samar on Thursday afternoon,  according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).

In a bulletin, PHIVOLCS said the tectonic quake struck at 2:50 p.m. Its epicenter was located 76 kilometers east of the Hernani town and had a depth of 7 kilometers.

The reported intensities were:

• Intensity V - Hernani and Llorente, Eastern Samar
• Intensity IV - Gen. MacArthur, Balangkayan, Maydolong, Salcedo and City of Borongan, Eastern Samar
• Intensity III - Quinapondan, San Julian, Sulat, Taft, Mercedes, Guiuan, Giporlos, Lawaan and Balangiga, Eastern Samar; City of Tacloban, Leyte
• Intensity II - Can-avid, Dolores, Oras, San Policarpo; Palo, Tanauan, Dulag, Babatngon, San Miguel, Pastrana, Barugo, Carigara, Tabontabon and Julita, Leyte; Basey and Santa Rita, Samar

Instrumental Intensities were reported over the following areas:

• Intensity II - Quinapondan, Can-Avid, Eastern Samar; Villaba, Abuyog, Calubian, Carigara, and Leyte, Leyte
• Intensity I - Mahaplag, Javier, Hilongos, Leyte; Rosario, Northern Samar; Hinunangan, Southern Leyte

Damage and aftershocks were expected after the tremors, PHIVOLCS added.

No tsunami threat

Meanwhile, the agency clarified there is no threat of tsunami in the country following the strong quake.

“No destructive tsunami threat exists based on available data,” said PHIVOLCS.—Sundy Locus/AOL, GMA Integrated News