By Ian Nicolas P. Cigaral, Reporter

A MAGNITUDE 6.3 earthquake jolted the Luzon province of Batangas on Friday afternoon, Aug. 11, that was also felt in nearby areas, including Metro Manila.

According to a bulletin by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), a “tectonic” quake hit the municipality of Nasugbu, Batangas, yesterday at 1:28 p.m.

It also shook buildings in Manila that prompted private and government offices as well as schools to evacuate.

Phivolcs said the tremor had a depth of 160km with no expected damage and tsunami threat. Nonetheless, residents should anticipate aftershocks, it advised.

The following intensities were reported in these areas:

Intensity IV — Calapan, Mindoro; Subic, Zambales; Rosario, Cavite; Manila City; Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro

Intensity III — Pateros City; Quezon City; Makati City; Malolos, Bulacan; ,Cainta, Rizal; Calamba, Laguna

Intensity II — Magalang, Pampanga; Tanauan City, Batangas

Intensity I — Talisay, Batangas

Instrumental Intensities:

Intensity III — Calumnpit, San Ildefonso, Bulacan; Tagaytay City

Intensity II — Lucban, Quezon

Intensity refers to the measurement of shakes produced and felt in an area. According to Phivolcs Earthquake Intensity Scale, Intensity IV refers to “moderately strong” shakes.

The Philippines is located in the so-called Ring of Fire, a vast Pacific Ocean region experiencing frequent quakes and volcanic eruptions. The most historic earthquake to hit Luzon in recent memory is the 1990 earthquake which devastated the city of Baguio and other parts of the country’s northern main island.

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