Intensity 4 Earthquake strikes off Baguio

Early morning, yesterday, residents of Baguio City and nearby areas were awakened from sleep after an earthquake struck, a day after 3 mild tremors hit the Mountain City.

According to Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Philvolcs), the Summer Capital felt the Intensity 4 earthquake at around 6:20 am on Friday, February 18, 2011.

The quake also jolted some parts of Northern Luzon. It was felt at Intensity 3 in San Fernando, La Union, and Intensity 2 in Burgos, Ilocos Sur. The quake's epicenter was 10 kilometers northwest of La Trinidad, Benguet.

Philvolcs added that the quake was of tectonic origin and that it expects aftershocks. However, the institute said it does not expect any damage from the earthquake.

Based on PHIVOLCS' Earthquake Intensity Scale, an Intensity 4 earthquake has this general impact:

IV Moderately Strong - Felt generally by people indoors and by some people outdoors. Light sleepers are awakened. Vibration is felt like a passing of heavy truck. Hanging objects swing considerably. Dinner, plates, glasses, windows and doors rattle. Floors and walls of wood framed buildings creak. Standing motor cars may rock slightly. Liquids in containers are slightly disturbed. Water in containers oscillate strongly. Rumbling sound may sometimes be heard.

Residents of Baguio can't help to get worried since it reminds them of the tragic event 20 years ago when a 7.8 earthquake devastated their area that killed over a thousand people and left a wide swath of devastation.

Later in the evening, two more magnitude 3 earthquakes were felt in Baguio City.

Via ABS-CBN News.