‘Doublet quakes’ jolt Quezon province

MANILA, Philippines — Earthquakes of magnitudes 5.3 and 4.9 struck Quezon province yesterday morning, with intensities felt in nearby areas as well as in Metro Manila, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

Phivolcs said the temblors could be considered as “doublet quakes” due to their almost similar magnitudes, shorter time interval of occurrence and coming from the same location.

The epicenters of both quakes were located 42 kilometers of Jomalig town.

The magnitude 5.3 quake, which occurred at 7:16 a.m., was not expected to cause damage to property, but it may generate aftershocks.

State seismologists said the second quake, which occurred at 7:55 a.m., was not an aftershock of the first.

The first quake was felt at Intensities 5 in Jomalig and Polillo, and 4 in Burdeos, Panukulan and Patnanungan in Quezon, as well as in Santa Elena and Vinzons in Camarines Norte.

It was also felt at Intensity 3 in the towns of Alabat, Calauag, General Nakar, Guinayangan, Infanta, Mauban, Real and Tagkawayan in Quezon, and Capalonga, Jose Panganiban, Mercedes and San Lorenzo Ruiz in Camarines Norte as well as in Taguig, Pateros and Quezon City in Metro Manila.

Intensity 2 was felt in Atimonan, Gumaca and Lopez in Quezon; Basud, Daet, Labo, San Vicente and Talisay in Camarines Norte; Del Gallego and Lupi in Camarines Sur, and Angeles in Pampanga.

Intensity 1 was felt in Caloocan and Pasig.

Meanwhile, the magnitude 4.9 temblor was felt at Intensities 4 in Polillo and 3 in Alabat, Burdeos, Calauag, General Nakar, Guinayangan, Infanta, Mauban, Panukulan, Real and Tagkawayan in Quezon; Paracale, Santa Elena and Vinzons in Camarines Norte as well as in Makati, Quezon City and Pateros.

Phivolcs said Intensity 2 was felt in Atimonan, Gumaca and Lopez in Quezon; Basud, Capalonga, Daet, Jose Panganiban, Labo, Mercedes, San Lorenzo Ruiz, San Vicente, Talisay and Vinzons in Camarines Norte; Del Gallego and Lupi in Camarines Sur, and Angeles. Intensity I was felt in Caloocan and Pasig.

State seismologists said both quakes were tectonic in origin.