The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology is expecting damages and aftershocks from a magnitude 5.3 earthquake that jolted Abra on Monday afternoon.
Phivolcs said the epicenter of the tremor was located at 17.39°N, 120.87°E – 005 km N 77° E of Boliney, Abra around 5:06 p.m. on 19 December.
The earthquake was tectonic in origin—caused by the movement of an active fault near the area.
It had a depth focus of 45 kilometers with Intensity IV (moderately strong) recorded in Banayoyo, Ilocos Sur, Intensity II (slightly felt) recorded in Baguio City, Benguet, and Intensity I (scarcely perceptible) in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte.
Meanwhile, Instrumental Intensities were recorded in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur felt at Intensity IV; Bangued, Abra at Intensity III while Intensity II in Baguio City, Benguet; Sinait, Ilocos Sur and Santiago City, Isabela while Intensity I in Penablanca, Gonzaga, Cagayan; Laoag City, Nueva Era, Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte; Tagudin, Ilocos Sur.