Magnitude 6.5 earthquake jolts Visayas

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck parts of the Visayas at 1:37 pm on Tuesday, April 23.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) revised the magnitude upwards, after initially pegging the earthquake at magnitude 6.2.

In a bulletin, Phivolcs said the epicenter of the earthquake was located in San Julian, Eastern Samar.

The following intensities were recorded:

• Intensity VI – San Julian, Eastern Samar

• Intensity V – Tacloban City; Catbalogan City, Samar; General MacArthur, Salcedo, and Guiuan, Eastern Samar; Naval, Biliran; Catarman, Northern Samar; Palo and Pastrana, Leyte

• Intensity IV – Abuyog, Hilongos, Javier, Capoocan, Julieta, Baybay, Barogo, Jaro, MacArthur, Matalum, and Villaba, Leyte; San Francisco, Southern Leyte; Bislig City, Surigao del Sur; Iloilo City; Naga City; Sorsogon City; Panganiban, Catanduanes

• Intensity III – Binalbagan, Negros Occidental; Cabalian, Southern Leyte; Dimasalang, Masbate; Butuan City; Cabadbaran City

• Intensity II – Bago City; Bacolod City

Phivolcs warned that damage and aftershocks are expected.

There is no threat of a tsunami, said Phivolcs in a separate advisory.

The Visayas earthquake hit just a day after a magnitude 6.1 tremor rocked parts of Luzon, causing deaths, injuries, and damage.

In an interview on ANC, Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum said the Luzon and Visayas earthquakes “are not related.” – Rappler.com