6.8-magnitude earthquake hits Cebu, Negros

An earthquake with a measurement of magnitude 6.8 jolted Negros-Cebu Region, Philippines, on Monday, February 6, 2012, the US Geological Survey (USGS) reported.

Map of the earthquake that rattled Negros and Cebu, Philippines on February 6, 2012 (Source: Phivolcs)

The quake, which has a depth of 33km, struck the area at 11:49 am. Its epicenter was recorded off 72 km (44 miles) N of Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines or 80 km (49 miles) WSW of Cebu, Philippines.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has yet to release a bulletin on the said earthquake.

Update:  Phivolcs reported the tectonic quake as magnitude 6.9.

According to the institute, the temblor was felt at following intensities in these areas:

Intensity VII - Dumaguete City; Vallehermoso, Negros Oriental
Intensity VI - La Carlota City and La Castellana, Negros Occidental; Argao, Cebu
Intensity V - Roxas City; Dao and Ivisan, Capiz; Iloilo City; Ayungon, Negros Oriental; Kanlaon City; Lapu-lapu City; Guimaras; Cebu City; San Carlos City;
Bacolod City; Sagay City; Tagbilaran City; Candoni, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental
Intensity IV - San Jose de Buenavista, Pandan, Anini-y, Patnungon, Antique; Kalibo, Aklan; Dipolog City; Sipalay, Negros Occidental; Ormoc City
Intensity III - Butuan City, Agusan del Norte; Legaspi City, Albay; Carmen, Cagayan de Oro; Tacloban City; Catbalogan; Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte;
Masbate, Masbate; Cagayan de Oro City
Intensity II - Cabid-an, Sorsogon; Borongan, Eastern Samar; Mambajao, Camiguin;
Intensity I - Pagadian City

Philvolcs added that damage and aftershocks are expected from the quake.

Update 2: Tsunami Alert 2 has been issued for coastal areas of Negros Oriental and Cebu.

Update 3: In an interview with ABS-CBN, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) chief Benito Ramos said the quake has killed a child from Tayasan, Negros Oriental - a wall fell on the child during the quake.

Update 4:  As of 1 p.m., at least 16 aftershocks were recorded by Phivolcs. - GMA News

Update 5: Tsunami alert has been canceled by Phivolcs at 2:30 p.m. - ABS-CBN News

The Philippines sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire where volcanic and seismic activities are more frequent than in most areas of the world.

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