by Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz
A 6.0-magnitude earthquake was recorded by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology (Phivolcs) near Batuan, Masbate early Thursday morning, Feb. 16.
Phivolcs initially measured the quake at magnitude 5.7 but later revised it to magnitude 6.0.
It said the quake struck 11 kilometers southwest of Batuan, Masbate around 2:10 a.m.
Phivolcs said the tremor was felt at Intensity VII (destructive) in Masbate City; Intensity V (strong) in Dimasalang, San Fernando, and Uson in Masbate; Intensity IV (moderately strong) in Legazpi City in Albay, Aroroy, Cataingan, Esperanza, Milagros and Pio V. Corpuz in Masbate; and Irosin and Sorsogon City in Sorsogon; and Intensity III (weak) in Daraga, Albay.
Its instruments also measured the quake at Intensity IV in Bulusan, Sorsogon and Bogo City, Cebu; Intensity III in Tabaco in Albay, Iriga City in Camarines Sur, Bago in Negros Occidental, Alangalang, Calubian, Isabel, Kananga and Palo in Leyte, Ormoc City in Leyte, and Rosario in Northern Samar.
Intensity II was also recorded in Gumaca, Quezon; Daet, Camarines Norte; Ragay, Camarines Sur; Prieto Diaz, Sorsogon; Malinao, Aklan; Jamindan, and Tapaz, Capiz; Argao, Cebu; Can-Avid, Eastern Samar; Abuyog, and Dulag, Leyte; and San Roque, Northern Samar.
It was registered at Intensity I in Lopez, Mulanay and Polillo, Quezon; Boac, Marinduque; Pandan, Antique; City of La Carlota, Negros Occidental; and Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte.
Phivolcs said the earthquake may have caused damage to houses, buildings, and other infrastructures.
It advised the public to stay vigilant as aftershocks may occur.
A magnitude 5.0 earthquake also jolted Masbate province at 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 15.
Its epicenter was traced 11 kilometers northwest of Dimasalang, Masbate.
The magnitude 5.0 earthquake is a foreshock, while the magnitude 6.0 quake is a mainshock, according to Phivolcs.
A foreshock is an earthquake that precedes a larger earthquake, called the mainshock.
Phivolcs said the 6.0-magnitude earthquake was generated by the movement along the Philippine Fault-Masbate Segment.
The same fault has been the source of large-magnitude earthquakes, the most recent being in 2020 (6.6-magnitude) and 2003 (6.2-magnitude).
