A magnitude 5.6 earthquake jolted Ilocos Norte on Monday morning, Dec. 30, based on the earthquake bulletin from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs). The tremor was initially measured at magnitude 5.8.
The earthquake occurred at 10:56 a.m. and its epicenter was located 15 kilometers northwest of Burgos, Ilocos Norte.
It was felt at Intensity V (strong) in Sinait and Cabugao in Ilocos Sur and Sarrat in Ilocos Norte; Intensity IV (moderately strong) in Claveria in Cagayan and Tubo in Abra; Intensity III (weak) in Lacub, Abra; and Intensity II (slightly felt) in Aparri and Lasam in Cagayan.
Its instruments also recorded the tremor at Intensity V in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte; Intensity IV in Sinait and Vigan City in Ilocos Sur; Intensity III in Gonzaga, Cagayan; Intensity II in Peñablanca in Cagayan, Bangued in Abra, and Bontoc in Mountain Province; and Intensity I in Candon and Narvacan in Ilocos Sur.
Phivolcs reported that the earthquake was tectonic in origin and was triggered by the movement of an active fault in the area.
The agency warned of damage to property and potential aftershocks following the earthquake.