West Valley Fault

A magnitude 6.2 tremor has been reported off the coast of Catanduanes yesterday evening. In lieu of this the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) issued a tsunami warning to three provinces in the area for possible occurrence of waves that are larger than usual.

The quake occurred at 8:54 p.m. last night 150 km northeast of Gigmoto town and had a depth of 72 kilometers.

The following intensities have been reported:

• Intensity IV – Virac, Catanduanes

• Intensity III – Prieto Diaz, and City of Sorsogon, Sorsogon; San Policarpo, Eastern Samar; Allen, Biri, Bobon, Catarman, Laoang, Lavezares, Rosario, San Jose, and San Roque, Northern Samar; Calbiga, and City of Catbalogan, Samar

• Intensity II – Malinao, and City of Tabaco, Albay; City of Borongan, Eastern Samar; Babatngon, Dagami, Dulag, Palo, Santa Fe, and Tanauan, Leyte; City of Tacloban; San Antonio, Northern Samar

• Intensity I – Alangalang, City of Baybay, and Tabontabon, Leyte

PHIVOLCS issued warnings for the provinces of Catanduanes, Northern Samar and Eastern Samar to avoid going to the coast and to stay away from the beaches.

They forecast that waves from a tsunami may arrive between 09:02 p.m. to 12:54 a.m. today with wave heights reaching less than one meter above the normal tides. They added that the height of the waves will be higher in enclosed bays and straits.

Residents living near or on the shorelines were advised to go to higher grounds and the owners of boats should start securing them.

Update:

Tsunami warning has been cancelled by PHIVOLCS as of 12:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Sources: GMANewsOnline/Phivolcs/MSNNews