Tectonic earthquakes with magnitudes 5.6 and 5 jolted Batanes and Masbate, respectively, on Thursday night.
In Batanes, the quake’s epicenter was traced 33 km. Northeast of Itbayat.
In a bulletin issued at 11:14 p.m., the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the magnitude 5.6 quake was 15 km. deep and occurred at 9:48 p.m.
Intensity III was felt in Itbayat; Intensity II in Basco and Mahatao, Batanes; and Intensity I in Ivana, Batanes.
No damage is expected but aftershocks are possible, Phivolcs said. Meanwhile, the magnitude 5 quake was recorded at 11:26 p.m. Its epicenter was traced 10 km. northwest of Uson, and had a depth of 14 km.
Intensity IV was felt in Masbate and Intensity III in Masbate City, while Intensity II was reported in Naval, Biliran, and municipalities of Leyte and Villaba, Leyte.
Phivolcs also logged the following instrumental intensities: Intensity III – Cataingan, and City of Masbate, Masbate; Intensity II – Aroroy, Batuan, Milagros, and Monreal, Masbate; Kawayan, Biliran; Ormoc City, Kananga, Leyte, and Villaba, Leyte; City of Catbalogan and Gandara, Samar; City of Bogo, Cebu; Intensity I – Legazpi, Albay; Naval, Biliran; Borongan City, Eastern Samar; Carigara, Leyte; San Roque, Northern Samar.
Reported intensity is the traditional way of knowing the intensity based on reports of people who felt the earthquake.
Instrumental intensity, on the other hand, is measured using an intensity meter that measures ground acceleration.
Aftershocks and damage are possible from this quake, Phivolcs said.