West Valley Fault

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported three consecutive earthquakes in the province of Masbate yesterday morning. The first earthquake, with a magnitude of 4.7, struck at 6:21 a.m., centered approximately 13 kilometers north of Masbate City and at a depth of 11 kilometers.

Here are the reported intensity levels for this event:

• Intensity IV: Masbate City and San Fernando town
• Intensity III: Batuan, Milagros, Mobo, and Monreal
• Intensity II: Aroroy, Baleno, and San Pascual in Masbate; Allen, San Isidro, and Victoria in Northern Samar; Calbayog City in Samar
• Intensity I: Palanas and Mandaon, Masbate

Instrumental intensities recorded were:

• Intensity IV: City of Masbate, Masbate
• Intensity III: Batuan and Milagros, Masbate
• Intensity II: Aroroy, Masbate; Rosario, Northern Samar; Bulusan, Sorsogon; City of Legazpi, Albay
• Intensity I: Cataingan, Masbate, Kawayan, Biliran

The second earthquake occurred at 6:40 a.m. with a magnitude of 3.9, located 12 kilometers north of Masbate City. It registered the following intensities:

• Intensity III: Masbate City and San Fernando
• Intensity II: Mobo and Monreal towns

The third earthquake struck at 7:07 a.m. with a magnitude of 3.2, its epicenter approximately 14 kilometers north of Masbate City. It recorded the following intensities:

• Intensity III: Masbate City
• Intensity II: San Fernando town

Prior to these three earthquakes, a slight tremor was felt at 1:59 a.m. with a magnitude of 2.3. Phivolcs has determined that these earthquakes were of tectonic origin, and they do not expect significant damage in the area. However, they have issued a warning about possible aftershocks.

Source: PhilstarGlobal/Phivolcs/Inquirer.net