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Monday, August 18, 2008

Quake jolts Bicol areas

16 August 2008

LEGAZPI CITY—A 5.1-MAGNITUDE EARTHquake strong enough to prompt people to go out of their houses rocked Albay, Sorsogon, and Camarines Sur provinces, at 6:25 p.m. yesterday.

The earthquake’s epicenter was plotted 42 km. north and 69 degrees east of Sorsogon province, said a report from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) in Manila.

Intensity 6 was recorded in Legazpi City; 5 in Sorsogon City and Irosin, Sorsogon; and 3 in Naga City and Bulan, Sorsogon.

Phivolcs director Renato Solidum said he was not expecting damage but there could be aftershocks. He advised people to be alert.

He added that the earthquake was not strong enough to cause sea level rise but warned coastal villagers to be watchful.

The earthquake was of tectonic origin and not related to the increased abnormal behavior of Mayon Volcano, which spewed a 200-meter-high ash column Sunday. Ephraim Aguilar, Inquirer Southern Luzon

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