The tally of aftershocks following the 6.0-magnitude Masbate quake has already hit 542, said the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Saturday afternoon, Feb. 18.
An earthquake with a magnitude of 6 is categorized by Filipino state seismologists as “very strong.” In its latest bulletin, Phivolcs disclosed that out of the 542 tremors varying from magnitudes 1.3 to 4.6, at least 105 were plotted, while only 30 were felt.
Asked why earthquakes frequently hit Masbate, state seismologists said it is because the area is one of the most “seismically active regions in the country,” having active faults that include the Masbate and Sibuyan Sea Segments of the Philippine Fault.
The epicenter of the quake was detected in Batuan, Masbate on Thursday early morning, Feb. 16. It was “very destructive” at Intensity VII in the City of Masbate; “strong” at Intensity V in Dimasalang, San Fernando, and Uson, Masbate; and “moderately strong” in the City of Legazpi, Albay; Aroroy, Cataingan, Esperanza, Milagros, and Pio V. Corpuz in Masbate; as well as Irosin in the city of Sorsogon.
Before this seismic event, the last powerful quake that hit the region was recorded in August 2020.