Magnitude 6 earthquake jolts Samar, Philippines

Samar Earthquake map | Source: USGS

A magnitude 6.0 quake rattled Samar, Philippines on Saturday, February 4, 2012, the US Geological Survey (USGS) reported.

According to the USGS, the temblor struck at 9:09 in the evening at its epicenter, 101 km North of Guiuan, Samar, Philippines. It has a depth of 60.2 km.

There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties from the quake.

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

Update: Philvolcs reported the same quake at 5.9 magnitude.

The institute added that the quake was felt at following intensities in these areas:

Intensity IV - Gamay, Northern Samar and
Intensity III - Palo, Leyte; Tacloban,Leyte; San Policarpo, Eastern Samar; Tolosa, Leyte; Catbalogan, Samar; and Oras E. Samar.

As of 11 p.m., Philvolcs has monitored at least 4 aftershocks, with the strongest registering at magnitude 5.

The Philippine archipelago lies on the "Pacific Ring of Fire" where continental plates collide, causing frequent volcanic activity.