Magnitude 5.2 quake jolts Calbiga, Samar

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 20) — A magnitude 5.2 earthquake hit Calbiga town in Samar, state seismologists reported Monday afternoon.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the tectonic tremor was recorded at 12:57 p.m., striking 15 kilometers southeast of Calbiga town.

Phivolcs earlier said the quake's magnitude was measured at 5.6 but this was downgraded an hour later.

The island region of Visayas is among the areas that may experience cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms due to a prevailing shear line on Monday, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

PAGASA warned of possible flash floods or landslides due to moderate to at times heavy rains in those areas.

The following intensities were felt in Visayas:

Intensity V (strong shaking) – City of Borongan in Eastern Samar; Calbiga and City of Catbalogan in Samar

Intensity IV (moderately strong shaking) – Balangiga, Balangkayan, and Maydolong in Eastern Samar; Abuyog, Alangalang, Babatngon, Carigara, Dagami, Dulag, Jaro, La Paz, Mahaplag, Mayorga, Palo, Pastrana, Santa Fe, Tabontabon, Tanauan, Tolosa, and Tunga in Leyte; City of Tacloban

Intensity III (weak shaking) – Hernani, Llorente, and Mercedes in Eastern Samar; Burauen, Julita, Kananga, and Leyte in Leyte; Basey, City of Calbayog, Marabut, and Villareal in Samar; Hinunangan, Silago, and Sogod in Southern Leyte

Intensity II (slightly-felt shaking) – Biliran, Cabucgayan, Culaba, and Naval in Biliran; Can-Avid and Guiuan in Eastern Samar; Albuera, Bato, City of Baybay, Calubian, Capoocan, Hilongos, Hindang, Inopacan, Isabel, Palompon, and Villaba in Leyte; Ormoc City; Rosario in Northern Samar; Daram, Hinabangan, Jiabong, Pinabacdao, San Jorge, San Jose De Buan, San Sebastian, Santa Margarita, Talalora, and Tarangnan in Samar; Malitbog and Tomas Oppus in Southern Leyte

Instrumental intensities or machine-detected shaking were recorded in these areas:

Intensity V – City of Catbalogan in Samar

Intensity IV – Can-Avid in Eastern Samar; Abuyog, Alangalang, Carigara, and Dulag in Leyte

Intensity III – City of Cebu: Palo in Leyte; Basey, and Marabut in Samar; Hinunangan, and Sogod in Southern Leyte

Intensity II – Talibon in Bohol; Culaba, Maripipi, and Naval in Biliran; Albuera, Burauen, Isabel, Kananga, and Leyte in Leyte; Ormoc City; Rosario in Northern Samar

Intensity I – Bulusan in Sorsogon; Argao, Asturias, Danao City, and City of Talisay in Cebu; Villaba in Leyte; Malitbog in Southern Leyte; Initao in Misamis Oriental; City of Surigao in Surigao del Norte

Phivolcs said the quake's depth of focus was 72 kilometers.

Phivolcs warned of aftershocks but also said it is not expecting damage.