SEVERAL schools in the Visayas suspended their classes following the strong earthquake that hit Leyte province at 4:03 p.m. Thursday, July 6.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the epicenter of the magnitude 6.5 quake was located at eight kilometers southwest of Jaro town, Leyte.

In Cebu City, classes were suspended in Cebu Normal University (CNU) after the temblor.

According to a post on The Socials of CNU's Facebook page, the class suspension was ordered by CNU president Dr. Filomena Dayagbil. The page also posted photos of students gathered at an open area in the campus.

Cebu City, including Tacloban City, Mandaue City, Ormoc City and Palo town, Leyte, felt the quake at Intensity 4.

In Leyte, students of Tanauan National High School (TNHS) flocked to the campus grounds after the quake.

TNHS student Rose Marie CoRate Bautista posted on Facebook Thursday a photo that showed students outside the classrooms. Bautista said they were dismissed early by their teachers.

The official Facebook page of Visayas State University also posted a photo of people going out from the university school buildings.

Phivolcs said the quake posed no tsunami threats, but damage and aftershocks are expected.

According to seismologists, shallow earthquakes generally cause more damage on the Earth's surface.

Phivolcs have reminded the public to stay calm whenever an earthquake occurs. Below is an infographic on what should you do during an earthquake: