Magnitude 5 quake hits Northen Samar

A MAGNITUDE 5 earthquake rocked Northern Samar yesterday morning, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported.

Phivolcs initially reported a magnitude 5.4 quake but later downgraded it to magnitude 5.

The quake occurred at 12:01 a.m. It was tectonic in origin and had a depth of 80 km.

Its the epicenter was some 10 km northwest of Lope De Vega town.

The shaking was felt at Intensity IV in Lope de Vega, Catarman, Bobon, Mondragon, Palapag, San Roque, Pambujan, San Jose, Rosario, Lavezares, San Isidro, Victoria, Silvino Lobos, and Catubig, all in Northern Samar; and in Calbayog City and Santa Margarita town in Samar.

It was felt at Intensity III in Allen, Laoang, Mapanas, Gamay, Lapinig, and Capul towns in Northern Samar; Arteche, San Policarpo, Dolores, Oras, Can-avid, Taft, San Julian, and Sulat towns in Eastern Samar; and Gandara, Tarangnan, San Jorge, Motiong, Paranas, Pinabacdao, Calbiga and Villareal and Catbalogan City in Samar.

Phivolcs said it was not expecting any damage from the quake.

Aftershocks are expected, Phivolcs added.