A 5.3-magnitude earthquake jolted Camarines Norte on Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 7, said the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
Phivolcs said the quake struck 19 kilometers northeast of Tinaga Island, Vinzons, Camarines Norte at 1:05 p.m.
It said the earthquake was felt at Intensity V (strong) in Mercedes and Jose Panganiban in Camarines Norte and Intensity IV (moderately strong) in Daet, Camarines Norte and Guinayangan and Polillo, Quezon.
It was also felt as a “weak” tremor at Intensity III in Ragay, Pili, and Iriga City in Camarines Sur; and Mauban, Lopez, Mulanay, Alabat, and Gumaca in Quezon.
Phivolcs said it was “slightly felt” at Intensity II in Tabaco, Albay, Dingalan, Aurora; Batangas City; Calumpit, Plaridel, Pulilan, Marilao, and San Ildefonso in Bulacan; Sagnay, Camarines Sur; Carmona, Cavite; Marikina City; Pasig City; Gapan City; Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro; Guagua, Pampanga; Infanta, Pangasinan; Dolores, Infanta, and Calauag in Quezon; and Taytay and Tanay in Rizal.
Meanwhile, it was “scarcely perceptible” at Intensity I in Legazpi City; Bulakan, Santa Maria, Guiguinto, Obando, Malolos City, Pandi, and Doña Remedios Trinidad in Bulacan; Tagaytay City; Ternate, Cavite; Candon, Ilocos Sur; Calamba and Los Baños in Laguna; Malabon City; Pasay City; Quezon City; Muntinlupa City; San Juan City; Mapanao, Northern Samar; San Antonio, Gabaldon, and Cabanatuan City in Nueva Ecija; Calapan, Oriental Mindoro; Tayabas and Lucena City in Quezon; and Angono, Morong, Antipolo, and Cainta in Rizal.
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.