MANILA, June 1 (Xinhua) -- A 6.3-magnitude earthquake hit the northernmost Philippine islands of Batanes at 09:57 a.m. local time (0157 GMT) Sunday, said the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

    The Phivolcs said in a news release that the earthquake was in a shallow depth of 42 kilometers under the seabed and its epicenter was located at 78 kilometers southwest of Basco island of Batanes.

    No damage or casualties were expected from the earthquake, which was tectonic in origin, said Philvolcs.

    The quake was also felt in northern Luzon's Ilocos and Cagayan regions, said Philvocs, adding that no aftershock was expected.

    The U.S. Geological Survey said earlier a 6.4-magnitude earthquake hit the Batanes islands.