5.8-magnitude quake rocks western, central Visayas

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – A magnitude 5.8 earthquake shook parts of western and central Visayas on Wednesday, November 14.

The quake, with epicenter located 26 km northwest (10.03°N, 122.25°E) of Cauayan, Negros Occidental, struck at 1:21 pm local time, and was reportedly felt in most of Panay, Negros, and Cebu.

The depth of focus of the tectonic quake was at 20 km, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

Phivolcs reported the following intensities:

• Intensity V – Cauayan, Ilog, Kabankalan, Binalbagan, Hinobaan & Hinigaran, Negros Occidental, Iloilo City
• Intensity IV – Sigma, Capiz; Alimodian, Iloilo; Anini-y, Antique; Bacolod City, Bago City & Pontevedra, Negros Occidental; Bayawan, Sta Catalina, Tayasan & Pamplona, Negros Oriental; Nueva Valencia, Guimaras; Dumaguete City
• Intensity III – Dao & Roxas Capiz; Patnongon, San Jose, Culasi, Sibalom, Pandan, San Remigio, Berbasa, Sebaste, Dao, Tibiao, Valderama & Bugasong Antique; Masbate City; Lezo & Kalibo, Aklan
• Intensity II – Canlaon City & Murcia, Negros Occidental; Dipolog City

Rappler editors and reporters, who are in Bacolod City for the #MoveBacolod chat series, also reported feeling the tremor.

Yes, we felt the earth move – several seconds.Strong.Precautionary evacuation ongoing now. #MoveBacolod

— Maria Ressa (@maria_ressa) November 14, 2012

#MoveBacolod getting to ready to start in a few minutes…and Bacolod literally moved…earthquake!

— Chay Hofileña (@chayhofilena) November 14, 2012

The venue at the University of St La Salle was evacuated. 

University of St La Salle students & teachers moved to open field after magnitude-5.8 tremor was felt#MoveBacolod twitter.com/VoltaireTupaz/…

— Voltaire Tupaz (@VoltaireTupaz) November 14, 2012

Damage to property and aftershocks are expected, Phivolcs added.  – Rappler.com