A 5.1-magnitude earthquake jolted Abra and neighboring areas on Monday afternoon, Dec. 19, said the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
Phivolcs said the quake struck 3 kilometers southeast of Pilar, Abra around 5:05 p.m.
It said the earthquake was felt at Intensity V (strong) in Pilar and Lacub in Abra; Intensity IV (moderately strong) in Banayoyo, Ilocos Sur and Licuan-Baay, Abra; and Intensity III (weak) in Nueva Era, Ilocos Norte and San Fernando City, La Union.
It was also felt at Intensity II (slightly felt) in Baguio City and La Trinidad, Benguet and Intensity I (scarcely perceptible) in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte and Itogon, Benguet.
Phivolcs’ instruments also recorded the tremor at Intensity IV in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur; Intensity III in Bangued, Abra; Intensity II in Baguio City, Sinait in Ilocos Sur, and Santiago City; and Intensity I in Peñablanca and Gonzaga in Cagayan, Laoag City, Nueva Era, and Pasuquin in Ilocos Norte, and Tagudin in Ilocos Sur.
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.