| An intense earthquake measuring 5.2 on the Richter Scale shook the Philippines early Saturday but caused no damage, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said. (The Ring of Fire is becoming hotter each week.) The quake, which was tectonic in origin, struck at 3:28 am (1928 GMT) with an epicenter off the coast, about 121 kilometers (75 miles) northwest of the town of Iba, Zambales province. Few people noticed the quake as it was located too far out to sea, the institute said, adding that no aftershocks were expected. Although about five quakes hit the Philippines every day, few if any are felt and only three major, destructive tremors have been recorded in more than 30 years, the institute has said. |