Quake hits parts of Central Luzon

A magnitude 3.6 tectonic earthquake shook parts of central Luzon yesterday noon but caused no damage and casualties, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

Phivolcs director Dr. Renato Solidum said the quake struck at 12:22 p.m. and was centered 32 kilometers southeast of Palayan City, Nueva Ecija.

The tremor, with a depth of two kilometers, was felt at Intensity 3 in Dingalan, Aurora and Intensity 2 in Palayan City. A movement along the Philippine Fault Zone caused the tremor, Solidum said, adding that there were no aftershocks recorded.

Tectonic  pertains to the structure or movement of the earth’s crust. The Philippines is part of the so-called “Ring of Fire” of volcanic islands along the quake-prone western rim of the Pacific Ocean.  - Helen Flores