Magnitude 6.3 earthquake jolts Batangas on Christmas Day

On the morning of Christmas, a magnitude 6.3 earthquake rocked Batangas, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported.

Phivolcs said the quake hit at 7:43 am, had a depth of 74 kilometers, and was tectonic in origin. The epicenter was west of the municipality of Calatagan.

Phivolcs said no damage is expected from the quake but that there could be aftershocks. The earthquake will not generate a tsunami, Phivolcs chief Undersecretary Renato Solidum Jr said in an interview with DZBB. The quake had generated 3 aftershocks, including one with a magnitude of 3.2, as of his interview.

The following earthquake intensities were felt due to the 6.3 quake:

• Intensity IV – Lemery, and Malvar, Batangas; San Pedro, Laguna; City of Manila; Marikina City; Quezon City; Cainta and Antipolo City, Rizal; Pasig City
• Intensity III – Caloocan City; Tanay, Rizal; San Jose Del Monte City, and Plaridel, Bulacan; Gapan City, Nueva Ecija; Cabangan and Iba, Zambales; Samal, Bataan; Valenzuela City; Malabon City
• Intensity II – San Isidro, Nueva Ecija; Alaminos City, Pangasinan

Instrumental Intensities:

• Intensity IV – Bacoor City; Tagaytay City; Carmona, Cavite; Plaridel, Calumpit, San Ildefonso, San Rafael, and Malolos, Bulacan; Guagua, Pampanga; Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro; Las Pinas City
• Intensity III – Talisay, Batangas; San Jose, Occidental Mindoro; Dagupan City; Quezon City; Pasig City; Muntinlupa City; Marikina City; Cabanatuan City
• Intensity II – Roxas, Oriental Mindoro; Lucban, Quezon; Baler, Aurora; Palayan City
• Intensity I – San Jose, Nueva Ecija; Gumaca, Lopez and Lucena City, Quezon

Intensity IV is defined by Phivolcs as a “moderately strong” earthquake “felt generally by people indoors and by some people outdoors.”

“Light sleepers are awakened. Vibration is felt like a passing of heavy truck. Hanging objects swing considerably. Dinner, plates, glasses, windows and doors rattle. Floors and walls of wood framed buildings creak. Standing motor cars may rock slightly. Liquids in containers are slightly disturbed. Water in containers oscillate strongly. Rumbling sound may sometimes be heard,” continues the definition.

An Intensity III earthquake is one felt only by people indoors, especially in upper floors of buildings. The vibration caused is similar to one from a passing light truck. Some people may expect dizziness and nausea while hanging objects may swing.

Intensity II quakes are felt by only some people indoors and are described as “slightly felt.” – Rappler.com