Magnitude 6.2 quake measured off Catanduanes, tsunami warning for 3 provinces

A magnitude 6.2 earthquake was measured off the coast of Catanduanes on Tuesday evening, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said, adding a warning to three provinces to be on alert for larger waves than usual.

The agency earlier reported that a 6.6 magnitude quake hit the town of Gigmoto in Catanduanes.

The tectonic quake occurred at 8:54 p.m., with the epicenter at 13.90°N, 125.77°E - 150 km N 85° E of Gigmoto town at a depth of 72 kilometers.

The earthquake was felt in the following areas:

• Intensity IV - Virac, Catanduanes
• Intensity III - Prieto Diaz, and City of Sorsogon, Sorsogon; San Policarpo, Eastern Samar; Allen, Biri, Bobon, Catarman, Laoang, Lavezares, Rosario, San Jose, and San Roque, Northern Samar; Calbiga, and City of Catbalogan, Samar
• Intensity II - Malinao, and City of Tabaco, Albay; City of Borongan, Eastern Samar; Babatngon, Dagami, Dulag, Palo, Santa Fe, and Tanauan, Leyte; City of Tacloban; San Antonio, Northern Samar
• Intensity I - Alangalang, City of Baybay, and Tabontabon, Leyte

The monitoring agency also warned residents of the provinces of Catanduanes, Northern Samar and Eastern Samar "to stay away from the beach and not go to the coast."

This is due to a "minor sea level disturbance" as a result of the quake, resulting in possible "wave heights of less than one meter above the normal tides" and higher in enclosed bays and straits.

"It is forecasted that the first tsunami waves will arrive between 09:02 p.m. to 12:54 a.m. 05 Apr 2023 (PST). These waves may continue for hours," it said.

"People whose houses are located very near the shoreline of these provinces are advised to move farther inland," it said.

"Owners of boats in harbors, estuaries or shallow coastal water of the above-mentioned provinces should secure their boats and move away from the waterfront. Boats already at sea during this period should stay offshore in deep waters until further advised."

#TsunamiPH

ADVISORY: MINOR SEA-LEVEL DISTURBANCE

Tsunami Information No.1

Date and Time: 04 Apr 2023 - 08:54 PM

Magnitude = 6.6

Depth = 09 kilometers

Location = 13.76°N, 125.51°E - Offshore Gigmoto (Catanduanes)https://t.co/XBgoky2qxJ pic.twitter.com/twCGN2v18e

— PHIVOLCS-DOST (@phivolcs_dost) April 4, 2023

PHIVOLCS later lifted the tsunami advisory at 12:30 a.m. Wednesday.

"Based on available data of our sea level monitoring stations facing the epicentral area, no significant sea level disturbances have been recorded since the 08:54 PM earthquake up until this cancellation of the advisory. With this, any effects due to minor sea level disturbances have largely passed and therefore DOST-PHIVOLCS has now cancelled the recommendations issued for this event," it said.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (NDRRMO) reported late Tuesday evening, that no damage and casualty was reported and no evacuation was conducted.

The local DRRMOs remain alert, however, and continue to monitor the incident for any progress.  — BM/BAP/KG, GMA Integrated News