4.5 Earthquake Shakes Off Luzon

A 4.5-magnitude earthquake struck Pangasinan province in Central Luzon in the late evening hours of December 18, 2013, yesterday.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology’s (Phivolcs) Earthquake Bulletins of latest seismic events in the Philippines, the epicenter of the 4.5-magnitude earthquake was located 004 km S 8° W of San Quintin, Pangasinan (15.94 ºN, 120.81 ºE) occurred at 10:46 PM.

The intensity 3 was felt in Baguio City, Caloocan City, Dagupan City and Mandaluyong City; Intensity 2 was felt in Quezon City, Pasig City, Gapan City, and Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija while intensity 1 was felt in Lucban, Quezon, Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum said.
Solidum said to DZMM, that, the earthquake’s origin was tectonic and the Phivolcs does not expect any strong aftershock to follow the major quake.

“Siyempre, bilang paalala, ang kailangan lang ay reminder na dapat naghahanda tayo,” he added.

According to United States Geological Survey (USGS), an earthquake with magnitude 4.0 to 4.9 may be felt indoors by many, outdoors by few during the day. At night, some awakened. Dishes, windows, doors disturbed; walls make cracking sound. Sensation like heavy truck striking building. Standing motor cars rocked noticeably. It may often felt, but only causes minor damages.

Pangasinan, however, one of the top ten provinces that were marked as high risk to earthquake.

SOURCE: (philvolcs.dost.gov.ph)