Powerful 7.1 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes In Northern Philippines

A strong 7.1 magnitude earthquake hits the Philippine island of Luzon on Wednesday, says the U.S. Geological Survey, with strong tremors felt in many areas including in the philippine capital Manila.

There were no reports of damage or injuries from the earthquake which happened at a shallow depth of 10 km (6 miles).

USGS said the earthquake's core was about 11 km (six miles) east-southeast from the town of Dolores in Abra province of philippine.

Ring of Fire

The Philippines is regularly hit by earthquakes due to its location on the Pacific plateau of "Ring of Fire", an area of intense tectonic activity that stretches from Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin.

Wednesday's quake was the strongest recorded in the Philippines in 10 years.  

In October 2013, a 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck in Bohol Island in the central Philippines, killing over 200 people and landslides along the island.

Old churches in the birthplace of Catholicism in the Philippines were damaged. Nearly 400,000 were moved out and tens of thousands of houses were damaged due to earthquake.

The powerful quake changed the island's landscape and a "ground cracks" pushed up a stretches of grounds by up to three meters, creating a wall of rock above the core.

"The earthquake lasted more than 30 seconds. I thought my house would collapse," said Singson.

"Right Now, we are trying to contact people.... Right now there are aftershocks so we are outside our home," he added.

The quake was also felt strongly in the city of Manila and the city's metro rail systems had been halted at rush hour after the quake, the transport ministry said.

The senate building in the capital Manila was also evacuated by security personals, media reported.

Renato Solidum, director of the state seismology agency quoted, that the earthquake could have caused damage in Abra where Dolores is located, but did not see damage in Manila.

"In the capital region it was not destructive. I think it does not have an effect on homes or apartments but good to inspect vital facilities like the MRT(Mass Rapid Transit)."