LAOAG CITY, PHILIPPINES – At least six consecutive earthquakes rattled residents in the northern part of Burgos town on New Year’s Day. This was the strongest registered at magnitude 5.5 and was plotted at 105 km northwest of the town at 4:01 am.
According to the Philippine Institute of Seismology and Volcanology earthquake bulletin, the temblor with a depth of 40 km was felt at intensity 3 in Laoag and in Sarrat town.
Add to that, three more tremors struck at 5:32am and 5:45 am both at magnitude 4.3 followed by a stronger shaking at 7:41 am with magnitude 4.8.
Two milder tremors both registered at magnitude 4.3 struck at 8:01am and 9:26 am respectively. All earthquakes were tectonic in origin.
Engr. Cynthia Iglesia, of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Administration based at the Laoag International Airport, said no tsunami alert was raised by Phivolcs after the series of earthquakes.
“Since yesterday (when two quakes also struck in Burgos), there was no tsunami alert sent. Judging by the shaking yesterday, no tsunami is likely to occur today because the depth of the earthquake was deep,” she said.
Iglesia said even Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos sent her a text message today asking details of the successive earthquakes.
“There is no cause for alarm. The tremors were not that strong to create tsunami,” Iglesia said.
Early yesterday, two mild earthquakes also struck Burgos town with magnitudes 4.3 and 4 respectively. With reports from PIA IVa
