A MAGNITUDE 5.8 earthquake struck Southern Leyte and affected several areas in the country at 7:39 a.m. Thursday, January 23, 2025.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the quake had a depth of 14 kilometers, with the epicenter located six kilometers southeast of San Francisco town.
The tremor was felt at Intensity 6 in San Francisco, Southern Leyte, leaving some roads and houses in the town damaged.
Residents in Anahawan, Hinunangan, Hinundayan, Libagon, Liloan, Padre Burgos, Pintuyan, San Juan, and San Ricardo in Southern Leyte felt it at Intensity 5.
A rockslide was reported in Liloan town following the earthquake.
Intensity 4 was reported in Abuyog, Bato, City of Baybay, Hilongos, Hindang, and Inopacan in Leyte, as well as in Bontoc, Limasawa, City of Maasin, Macrohon, Malitbog, Saint Bernard, Silago, Sogod, and Tomas Oppus in Southern Leyte.
The earthquake was felt at Intensity 3 in Cebu City; Alangalang, Albuera, Barugo, Burauen, Carigara, Dagami, Dulag, Jaro, Javier, Julita, Kananga, Macarthur, Mahaplag, Mayorga, Merida, Palo, Santa Fe, Tanauan, and Tolosa in Leyte; and Surigao City in Surigao del Norte.
Intensity 2 was reported in Babatngon, Isabel, and Palompon, Leyte; and Cagayan de Oro City in Northern Mindanao.
Phivolcs also reported the following Instrumental Intensities:
Intensity 5 - Hinundayan, Padre Burgos, and San Juan, Southern Leyte
Intensity 4 - Hinunangan, City of Maasin, and Sogod, Southern Leyte; Surigao City, Surigao Del Norte
Intensity 3 - Carigara, Dulag, Kananga, and Palo, Leyte; Ormoc City; Cagayan de Oro City
Intensity 2 – Roxas City, Capiz; Bogo City, Cebu; Leyte, Leyte; Gandara, Samar; Gingoog City in Misamis Oriental
Intensity 1 - San Francisco, Cebu; Can-Avid, Eastern Samar; Mambajao, Camiguin
Phivolcs said earlier that damage and aftershocks are expected following the strong earthquake. (LMY)