Magnitude 6.2 earthquake rocks Catanduanes
MANILA, Philippines – A magnitude 6.2 earthquake rocked Catanduanes at 8:54 pm, Tuesday, April 4, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
The initial report of Phivolcs said the earthquake was a magnitude 6.6.
Phivolcs issued Earthquake Information #2 at 10:25 pm and adjusted the quake to magnitude 6.2.
Phivolcs said the temblor was tectonic of origin and its epicenter was offshore in Gigmoto town, province of Catanduanes.
In the Phivolcs Tsunami Information No. 1, titled “Minor Sea-level Disturbance,” the agency said: “Strong currents and rapid changes of seawater level are expected.”
The Phivolcs report added: “Based on the tsunami wave models and early tide gauge records of the tsunami, it is expected to experience wave heights of less than one meter above the normal tides and may be higher on enclosed bays and straits.
“It is forecasted that the first tsunami waves will arrive between 09:02 PM to 12:54 AM 05 Apr 2023 (PST). These waves may continue for hours.”
Phivolcs recommended that residents of Catanduanes, Northern Samar, and Eastern Samar, should “stay away from the beach and not go to the coast… until the cancellation of the advisory.”
As a further precaution, Phivolcs said: “People whose houses are located very near the shoreline of these provinces are advised to move farther inland.”
Phivolcs instruments recorded that the earthquake was felt as intensity 4 in San Jorge, Samar; Virac Catanduanes. It was intensity 3 in Prieto Diaz and Sorsogon in Sorsogon; San Policarpio, Eastern Samar; Allen, Biri, Bobon, Catarman, Laoang, Lavezares, Rosario, San Jose, and San Roque in Northern Samar; Calbiga, and City of Catbalogan in Samar.
It was intensity 2 in Malinao, City of Tabaco, and Legazpi City in Albay; Daet, Camarines Norte; Iriga City, Pili in Camarines Sur; Kananga, Dulag, Abuyog in Leyte; San Roque in Northen Samar; Bulusan, Prieto Diaz in Sorsogon; City of Borongan in Eastern Samar; Babatngon, Dagami, Dulag, Palo, Santa Fe, and Tanauan in Leyte; City of Tacloban; San Antonio, Northern Samar.
While it was intensity 1 in Ragay, Pasacao in Camarines Sur; Quinapondan, Eastern Samar; Alangalang, City of Baybay, and Tabontabon in Leyte; Monreal, Uson, in Masbate; Gumaca, Polillo, Mauban, Guinayangan in Quezon; and Donsol, Sorosogon.
– Rappler.com