Magnitude 5.5 earthquake hits Leyte

A magnitude 5.5 earthquake rocked Leyte before dawn on Monday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said.

The earthquake occurred at 5:19 a.m.

Its epicenter was located 11.33ºN, 124.54ºE  - 8 km S 52ºE of Leyte.

#EarthquakePH #EarthquakeLeyte#iFelt_LeyteEarthquake
Earthquake Information No.2
Date and Time: 02 Mar 2020 - 05:19 AM
Magnitude = 5.5
Depth = 009 kilometers
Location = 11.33N, 124.54E - 008 km S 52° E of Leyte (Leyte)https://t.co/i9a5AVOFkD pic.twitter.com/5RpL6kVu7L

— PHIVOLCS-DOST (@phivolcs_dost) March 1, 2020

The quake had a depth of 9 kilometers.

PHIVOLCS said the quake was tectonic in origin.

The earthquake was first reported to be of magnitude 5.7, but was lowered to magnitude 5.5.

Intensity V was felt in Leyte, Kananga, Capoocan, Pastrana, Tacloban City, and Ormoc City in Leyte.

Intensity IV meanwhile was felt in Palo, Dulag, Babatngon, Alang-alang and Palompon, Leyte, as well as in Mandaue City and Cebu City in Cebu, and Naval, Biliran.

Intensity III on the other hand was felt in Lapu-lapu City in Cebu and Lawaan, Eastern Samar.

PHIVOLCS said aftershocks and damage are expected.

In an interview on GMA News' Unang Balita on Monday, PHIVOLCS officer-in-charge and Department of Science and Technology Undersecretary Renato Solidum said so far the aftershocks recorded are not that strong, only around magnitude 3.

However, with earthquakes reaching magnitude 5, it is possible to have aftershocks measuring magnitude 4, he said.

Monday's earthquake is tectonic, meaning it was due to a movement in a fault, and in this case it was the Philippine Fault Zone - Leyte segment, Solidum said.

The same fault also moved in 2017 causing a magnitude 6.5 earthquake south of the epicenter, in Ormoc, Leyte, he added.

Solidum advised the public to check if their houses or buildings are structurally sound, and if so, whether there are pieces or items that may fall on them should an earthquake occur.

When an earthquake strikes, have presence of mind, Solidum said. "Huwag mag-panic... Kung puwedeng magtago sa mesa o sa sulok para maprotektahan ang sarili, gawin ito."

"Kung talagang mahina ang building o 'di na ginagamit, tumakbo palabas agad kung kaya pa," he added.

Solidum said a Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill will be held on Thursday, March 12, with a ceremonial activity to be held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. —KG, GMA News