
A 4.8-magnitude earthquake rocked Bicol region at around 10:28 p.m., Friday, Dec. 17, said the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
The epicenter of the earthquake was traced 8 kilometers (km) southwest of Donsol, Sorsogon, at a shallow depth of 20 km.
It was initially measured at magnitude 5.0 but Phivolcs later revised it to magnitude 4.8.
Phivolcs said the earthquake was strongly felt at Intensity V in Donsol, Sorsogon, while it was "moderately strong" at Intensity IV in Jovellar and Pilar in Sorsogon.
It was also felt as a "weak" tremor at Intensity III in Irosin and Juban in Sorsogon; Naga City; Canaman, Camarines Sur; Legazpi City; and Bacacay and Guinobatan in Albay.
The earthquake was slightly felt at Intensity II in Ligao City, while it was scarcely perceptible at Intensity I in Masbate City.
Phivolcs' instruments also recorded the earthquake at Intensity II in Mulanay, Quezon and Intensity I in Sipocot, Camarines Sur.
It said that the earthquake was tectonic in origin, which means it was caused by the movement of an active fault near the area.
Phivolcs advised the public to stay vigilant as aftershocks may occur due to this earthquake.