Magnitude 5.1 earthquake rocks Vigan, but no damage expected

A MAGNITUDE 5.1 earthquake shook Vigan City in northern Philippines on Thursday afternoon, but no damage was expected from the offshore tremor, according to the state seismology agency.

The earthquake, initially reported at a magnitude of 5.3, was recorded at 2:21 p.m., located 53 kilometers west of Candon City, Ilocos Sur, where intensity 4 in a 10-level system was reported.

Based on the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology’s (Phivolcs) earthquake scale, intensity 4 is considered “moderately strong” and generally felt by people indoors.

Intensity 3 was felt in Vigan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its well-preserved Spanish colonial era architecture. The same level was reported in Pinili, Ilocos Norte; Sudipen and Bangar, La Union; and Bolinao and Alaminos City, Pangasinan

Intensity 2 was reported in Sinait, Ilocos Sur; San Antonio, Zambales; and Bolinao and Dagupan City in Pangasinan.

A weaker intensity of 1 was felt in the mountain areas of Baguio City and Benguet province as well as several coastal areas along the western side of Luzon mainland.

Phivolcs said aftershocks were expected.