Magnitude 5.1 Earthquake Jolts Masbate, Philippines

An earthquake which registered magnitude 5.1 on the Richter Scale struck Masbate, Philippines on Thursday evening, December 27, 2012, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said.

Epicenter of Masbate earthquake

According to PHIVOLCS, the quake hit at 9:41 p.m and centered at 23km southeast of Masbate.

The temblor, which was 7km deep and tectonic in origin, was felt at Intensity IV in Masbate, Masbate; Intesity III in Irosin, Sorsogon; and Intensity II in Legaspi City, it added.

The Institute said it is expecting damage and aftershocks from the quake.

There were no initial reports of injuries and major damage to properties.

The Philippines sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where continental plates collide, causing frequent quakes.