Magnitude 6.4 quake jolts Abra, generates 368 aftershocks

Abra quake epicenter (Image from Phivolcs’ Facebook page)

MANILA – A magnitude 6.4 tectonic earthquake jolted Abra Tuesday night, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

The quake struck about 9 km. northwest of Lagayan at 10:59 p.m. It was 11 km. deep.

Intensity VI was felt in La Paz, Abra; and intensity V in Bangued, Boliney, Bucay, Bucloc, Daguioman, Danglas, Dolores, Lacub, Lagangilang, Lagayan, Langiden, Licuan-Baay, Luba, Malibcong, Manabo, Peñarrubia, Pidigan, Pilar, Sallapadan, San Isidro, San Juan, San Quintin, Tayum, Tineg, Tubo, and Villaviciosa, Abra; Conner, Apayao; La Trinidad, Benguet; Rizal, Kalinga; Alilem, Banayoyo, Bantay, Burgos, Cabugao, City of Candon, Cervantes, Galimuyod, Gregorio del Pilar, Lidlidda, Magsingal,
Nagbukel, Narvacan, Quirino, Salcedo, San Emilio, San Esteban, San Ildefonso, San Juan, San Vicente, Santa, Santa Catalina, Santa Cruz, Santa Lucia, Santa Maria, Santiago, Santo Domingo, Sigay, Sinait, Sugpon, Suyo, Tagudin, and City of Vigan, Ilocos Sur; Bacnotan, Balaoan, Bauang, and Caba, La Union; Abulug, Allacapan, Amulung, Aparri, Baggao, Claveria, Lal-Lo, Lasam, Peñablanca, Tuao, and Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.

Intensity IV was also felt in Flora, Apayao; City of Baguio; Bokod, and Itogon, Benguet; City of San Fernando, and Sudipen, La Union; Enrile, Iguig, and Solana, Cagayan;

Intensity III in Laoac, City of Urdaneta, and Villasis, Pangasinan; City of Dagupan; Baler, Aurora; and

Intensity II in Labrador, Pangasinan; San Manuel, Isabela.

Phivolcs also logged the following instrumental Intensities:

Intensity V: Gonzaga, Penablanca, Claveria, Cagayan; Pasuquin, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte; Vigan City, Ilocos Sur;

Intensity IV: Bangued, Abra;

Intensity III: Baler, Aurora; Ilagan, Isabela;

Intensity II: Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya; Urdaneta, Dagupan City, Pangasinan; Madella, Quirino;

Intensity I: Dinalupihan, Bataan; Bulakan, Calumpit, Malolos City, Plaridel, Bulacan; Pasig City, Navotas City; Cabanatuan City and San Jose, Nueva Ecija; Guagua, Pampanga; Umingan, Sison, Bolinao, Infanta, and Bani, Pangasinan; Polillo, Mauban, and Infanta, Quezon; Tanay and Taytay, Rizal; Ramos, Tarlac; Iba, Zambales

Reported intensity is the traditional way of knowing the intensity based on reports of people who felt the earthquake while instrumental intensity is measured using an intensity meter that measures ground acceleration.

Both aftershocks and damage are expected from the earthquake, Phivolcs said.

The quake has so far generated 368 aftershocks as of 6 a.m. Wednesday. At least 46 of these were plotted or located, and four were felt.

The aftershocks ranged from magnitude 1.4 to 4.

Class, work suspension

Abra Governor Dominic Valera has suspended classes in schools, both public and private, and work in all government offices on Wednesday.

In an advisory issued at 2 a.m., Valera said personnel would carry out inspection and assessment of the quake’s damage.

He reminded the public to be alert but remain calm.

Damage

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said at least two roads were damaged while power was knocked out in parts of Northern Luzon following the tremor.

In its initial report, the NDRRMC noted power interruptions in the town of Allacapan and in villages in the eastern part of Gattaran town, both in Cagayan, due to a cut line and transformer problem.

The NDRRMC also said a national road in Labben and a local road in Centro East, both in Allacapan, were damaged.

One house was reported damaged in Aparri, Cagayan, it added.