3 moderate quakes jolt Batangas, Bohol, and Catanduanes

PHIVOLCS seismograph. File photo: PhilNews

MANILA  — Three moderate earthquakes jolted the provinces of Batangas, Bohol and Catanduanes in a span of seven hours on Saturday, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

In its bulletin, Phivolcs said the latest tremor of 4.1 magnitude occurred at 1:09 p.m. with its epicenter located 21 kilometers northwest of Calatagan, Batangas.

The agency said the quake, which was tectonic in origin, had a depth of 112 kilometers. It was felt at Intensity 2 in Quezon City.

Phivolcs said there was no casualty or damage reported from the temblor and no aftershocks were expected.

Five hours earlier, a magnitude 4.0 quake rocked Bohol at 8:02 a.m., with its epicenter traced three kilometers northwest of Antequera, where it registered at Intensity 4.

The tremor, which was of tectonic origin and with a depth of four kilometers, was felt at Intensity 3 in Tagbilaran City and Loay, Bohol, and Intensity 2 in Cebu City.

At 5:56 a.m. also Saturday, a magnitude 4.1 quake jolted Catanduanes with its epicenter traced 35 kilometers southeast of Virac.

Phivolcs said the tremor was felt at Intensity 3 in Legaspi City and Cabid-an in Sorsogon City and Intensity 2 in Virac, Catanduanes

The tremor, which was tectonic in origin, had a depth of 24 kilometers.

Phivolcs said there was no casualty or damage reported from both the Bohol and Catanduanes tremors and no aftershocks were expected.

The Philippines lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where 20 to 25 earthquakes per day — mostly imperceptible — are common.