At 3:07 p.m. of 08 April 2017, a 5.6-magnitude earthquake struck Batangas anew, with its epicenter located some two kilometers northwest of the town of Mabini. (Read the partial report from PHIVOLCS, issued at 4:30 p.m. today.) About a minute and a half later, a 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck from south-southwest of Talaga in the same town. (Read the partial report from PHIVOLCS, issued at 4:43 p.m. today.) Aftershocks are expected.
The following cities reported intensities:
- Intensity VII – Mabini, Batangas
- Intensity VI – Calatagan, Nasugbu, and Tigloy, Batangas
- Intensity V – Batangas City, Sto. Tomas, and Lemery, Batangas; Tagaytay City
- Intensity IV – Dasmariñas, Cavite; Lucena City; Pateros City
- Intensity III – Makati City; Pasay City; Quezon City; Muntinlupa City; Malabon City; Mandaluyong City; Bacoor, Cavite
- Intensity II – Daet, Camarines Norte
The United States Geological Survey most recently reported that some twenty minutes following the twin quakes, a third earthquake measuring M 5.0 struck a kilometer west-northwest of Taysan, Batangas.
Today’s earthquakes followed a 5.5-magnitude earthquake that struck Batangas on the evening of 04 April 2017, with the epicenter five kilometers off the south of Tingloy. Of the 600 aftershocks recorded in the province, ten had magnitudes between 1.8 and 4.9. The nighttime quake damaged several structures, including the Taal Basilica and the provincial capitol. The tremors could be felt across Luzon.
In light of the increasing frequency of earthquakes across the Philippines, we encourage the public to brush up on disaster preparedness measures—especially what one should do before, during, and after an earthquake.
