Magnitude 6.0 quake hits Masbate, work, classes suspended

A MAGNITUDE 6.0 earthquake struck the Batuan town in Masbate Thursday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

The earthquake jolted the province at about 2:10 a.m., which had a depth of 10 kilometers, it said.

Prior to this, Masbate also experienced a magnitude 4.5 earthquake in the town of Dimasalang on Wednesday.

This means the magnitude 6 earthquake felt in Batuan town was the mainshock of magnitude 4.5 foreshock yesterday.

According to the United States Geological Survey, foreshocks are earthquakes that are relatively smaller in magnitude and come before the larger earthquake in the exact location in a sequence.

As of 7 a.m., there were a total of 70 recorded aftershocks, of which seven were felt in the area with a magnitude range between 1.6 to 4.2, Phivolcs said in an 8:40 a.m. bulletin report.

Due to the earthquake, Phivolcs reported the highest intensity VII in the city of Masbate, while intensity V was recorded in the towns of Dimasalang, San Fernando, and Uson, Masbate.

Work, classes suspended

As part of the safety measures after the earthquake struck the area, the city government of Masbate has suspended work and classes at all levels.

“To ensure the safety of everyone, classes in all levels (both public and private as well as government works are hereby suspended today, February 16, 2023, at the City of Masbate,” the city Mayor Socrates Tuason said in a memorandum.

The suspension of classes was declared to make space for the monitoring and to assess structural buildings and offices located across the area, it said.

Aftermath of the Magnitude 6.0 earthquake. (Photo by: City of Masbate Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office)

Instrumental Intensities:

Intensity VI – City of Masbate, Masbate

Intensity IV – Bulusan, and City of Sorsogon, Sorsogon; City of Bogo, Cebu

Intensity III – the City of Legazpi, and City of Tabaco, Albay; City of Iriga, Camarines Sur; City of Bago, Negros Occidental; Alangalang, Calubian, Isabel, Kananga, and Palo, Leyte; Ormoc City; Rosario, Northern Samar

Intensity II – Gumaca, Quezon; Daet, Camarines Norte; Ragay, Camarines Sur; Prieto Diaz, Sorsogon; Malinao, Aklan; Jamindan, and Tapaz, Capiz; Argao,

Cebu; Can-Avid, Eastern Samar; Abuyog, and Dulag, Leyte; San Roque, Northern Samar

Intensity I – Lopez, Mulanay, and Polillo, Quezon; Boac, Marinduque; Pandan, Antique; City of La Carlota, Negros Occidental; Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte

Jericho Zafra

Jericho has written for various national and international publications in print and online. He also specializes in journalism research particularly gender and religion.