An earthquake measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale struck the province of Zamboanga del Norte in the northern Philippines today.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, the earthquake occurred at a depth of 43 kilometres below the surface, about 5 kilometres southeast of Siocon.

There have been no reports of material or human damage caused by the earthquake.

The Philippines is experiencing increased volcanic and seismic activity due to its location on the ‘belt of fire’ in the Pacific Ocean, where tectonic plates intersect.

The last major earthquake to hit the Philippines was in October 2013, measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale and killing more than 220 people.