Philippines: 6.2-magnitude earthquake hits Luzon August 11

Event

A 6.2-magnitude earthquake hit the northern island of Luzon on Friday, August 11, at around 13:30 (local time). The epicenter was located 11 km (6 mi) southeast of Nasugbu, in Batangas province. Tremors were felt as far away as the capital Manila, shaking building and forcing the evacuation of offices and schools. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage and no tsunami warning was issued. Aftershocks are expected.

Context

The country is prone to serious volcanic and seismic activity as it is located along the so-called “Ring of Fire,” an area spanning parts of the Pacific Ocean in which 75 percent of the world's active volcanoes are found and almost 90 percent of earthquakes occur. Nearly 40 earthquakes with a magnitude of 6 and over (on the Richter scale) have been reported in the past decade in the Philippines.

Advice

Individuals present in areas affected by the earthquake are advised to follow any instructions issued by local authorities and to be prepared for aftershocks. Generally speaking, after a major earthquake only use your telephone in cases of emergency (to leave communication lines open for emergency services), check for injuries, and take note of your surroundings. If your building is damaged, shut off the water, gas, and electricity lines and evacuate.