A 5.5-magnitude earthquake jolted Apayao and neighboring areas on Thursday evening, Nov. 24, according to the initial bulletin of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
Phivolcs said the quake struck 13 kilometers northwest of Calanasan, Apayao at 11:05 p.m. on Thursday.
It said the earthquake was felt at Intensity V (strong) in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte and Intensity IV (moderately strong) in Badoc, Ilocos Norte and Vigan City, Ilocos Sur.
It was “weak” at Intensity III in Sinait and San Vicente, Ilocos Sur and “scarcely perceptible” at Intensity I in Bantay, Ilocos Sur.
Phivolcs’ instruments also recorded the tremor at Intensity IV in Pasuquin and Laoag City, Ilocos Norte; Intensity III in Claveria, Peñablanca and Gonzaga, Cagayan and Vigan City, Ilocos Sur; and Intensity I in Ilagan, Isabela and Tabuk, Kalinga.
The earthquake was tectonic, 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.