Magnitude 4.6-quake jolts Eastern Samar

TACLOBAN CITY, March 5  -- A 4.6-magnitude earthquake shook Eastern Samar Monday morning, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported.

There was no expected damage and aftershocks from the temblor that struck 17 km south of Llorente, Eastern Samar at 9:05 a.m.

The earthquake was felt at Intensity 4 in Llorente and Hernani, Eastern Samar; Intensity 3 in Balanginga, Lawaan, Salcedo and Borongan City, Eastern Samar; and Intensity 2 in Tacloban City and Palo, Leyte; Dolores and Guiuan, Eastern Samar

For the first five days of March, Phivolcs has already recorded nine plotted earthquakes in the region -- those in San Roque, Northern Samar (magnitude 2.6), two ground shakings in Mondragon, Northern Samar (magnitude 2.7 and 2.1); two quakes in San Policarpo, Eastern Samar (magnitudes 2.2 and 3.7); Laoang, Northern Samar (magnitude 2.7); two tremors in Ormoc City, Leyte (magnitudes 2.1 and 2.3); and San Julian, Eastern Samar (magnitude 2.1).

The presence of the active Philippine Fault Zone and lineaments has made 29 towns and cities in Eastern Visayas prone to earthquakes, according to Phivolcs. (SQM/PNA)