A 6.2 magnitude earthquake hit Catanduanes with no major damage, while a tsunami warning was raised for a 6.6 quake offshore.

A 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of the Philippine island of Catanduanes on Thursday, December 24th. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) issued a tsunami warning for nearby areas shortly after the earthquake hit, but later lifted the warning. No major damage was reported from the earthquake.

The earthquake’s epicenter was located approximately 37 kilometers northeast of Gigmoto, a town on the eastern coast of Catanduanes. The earthquake, which occurred at a depth of 23 kilometers, was classified as “moderately strong” by Phivolcs.

Following the earthquake, Phivolcs issued a tsunami warning for the coastal areas of Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, and Camarines Sur. The warning advised residents to evacuate to higher ground and avoid the coast. However, the warning was later lifted as no tsunami was detected.

The earthquake was felt in several parts of Catanduanes, as well as in nearby areas such as Albay, Sorsogon, and Camarines Sur. Social media users reported feeling the earthquake as far away as Manila, about 400 kilometers to the northwest of Catanduanes.

Local authorities reported no major damage from the earthquake, although some areas reportedly experienced power outages and some buildings sustained minor damage. The island’s disaster risk reduction and management council conducted an assessment of the island’s infrastructure and reported that the earthquake did not cause any major damage.

The Philippines is located on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” which is characterized by frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. According to Phivolcs, the country experiences an average of 20 earthquakes per day. It is also prone to typhoons, which can cause flooding, landslides, and other forms of damage.

The earthquake in Catanduanes occurred during the holiday season, when many Filipinos travel to their hometowns to celebrate with family and friends. The Philippine government had earlier discouraged travel during the holiday season due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but many Filipinos still chose to travel to their hometowns despite the risks. The earthquake likely caused some anxiety among travelers who were already dealing with the challenges posed by the pandemic.

While the earthquake did not cause major damage, it served as a reminder of the importance of preparedness in the face of natural disasters. In recent years, the Philippine government has taken steps to improve its disaster risk reduction efforts, including investing in early warning systems, disaster response training, and infrastructure upgrades. However, many parts of the country remain vulnerable to natural disasters, and there is still room for improvement in these areas. The earthquake in Catanduanes was a relatively mild event, but it still highlighted the need for ongoing efforts to improve disaster preparedness and resilience in the Philippines.