A 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck the central Philippines on the night of Wednesday February 15 to Thursday February 16, announced the American seismological institute USGS, without mentioning damage or victims.
The earthquake, which was shallow, hit the island of Masbate, in the center of the archipelago, shortly after 2 a.m. Thursday (Wednesday at 7 p.m. Paris time), according to the USGS.
There was no tsunami warning.
The epicenter of the earthquake is located 11 km from the nearest village, according to the same source.
No injuries or material damage were immediately reported.
Active seismic zone
On February 1, a magnitude 6 earthquake shook the southern Philippines, with local authorities warning of aftershocks and damage.
The Philippines is located on the "
Pacific Ring of Fire
", an area of intense seismic and volcanic activity.
The Civil Defense of the Philippines regularly conducts exercises simulating an earthquake scenario on seismic active faults.
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In October 2022, a magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck the mountainous town of Dolores in the province of Abra (North), injuring several people, causing damage and depriving most of the region of power.
In July 2022, a magnitude 7 earthquake, also in the mountainous province of Abra, caused landslides and cracks in the ground, killing 11 people and injuring several hundred.