OCCIDENTAL MINDORO / RankWire.AI / – On Friday morning, a seismic event with a magnitude of 5.4 struck near Occidental Mindoro in the Philippines, resulting in tremors that were felt in parts of Luzon and Metro Manila. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, commonly known as PHIVOLCS, recorded the earthquake at 10:38 a.m. local time. Its epicenter was located approximately 13 kilometers southwest of Mamburao, the provincial capital. The quake originated from tectonic activity at a depth of roughly 14 kilometers.
Initially, authorities reported the earthquake as magnitude 5.8, but subsequent analysis revised it to 5.4. PHIVOLCS warned that aftershocks might occur following the main tremor. Based on preliminary assessments, the agency did not anticipate significant damage. Residents across Mindoro experienced noticeable shaking during the late morning hours, with weaker tremors reaching neighboring provinces. The event also impacted sections of the capital region, which is over 100 kilometers from the closest point to the epicenter.
In Mamburao, Intensity 5 shaking was reported, along with several communities in Oriental Mindoro. Calapan City, Naujan, Puerto Galera, San Teodoro, and Victoria all registered the same intensity level. Taal in Batangas and the towns of Abra de Ilog and Sablayan in Occidental Mindoro experienced Intensity 4. Seismic instruments also detected Intensity 5 in Mamburao and Puerto Galera. The strongest ground movements were concentrated in Mindoro, where local communities felt the most pronounced shaking.
Ground Shaking Extends to Metro Manila
The seismic activity reached Metro Manila and several northern provinces. Instrument readings indicated Intensity 3 in Quezon City, Batangas City, Calapan City, and Victoria. Additionally, Intensity 3 was recorded in General Trias in Cavite and San Pedro in Laguna. Some residents in Manila evacuated their buildings as a precaution during the tremor. Once the shaking stopped, daily activities resumed, and authorities continued inspections across the affected zones.
Further from the epicenter, lower seismic intensities were observed in communities across Luzon. Parañaque City reported Intensity 2, as did Santa Cruz in Laguna and Guinayangan in Quezon. Variations in ground motion levels were captured by different instruments depending on location. Initial evaluations found no significant structural damage, and monitoring persisted after the main event. Local authorities and seismic stations remained vigilant for additional tremors near Occidental Mindoro, especially after the earthquake in nearby waters.
Official Magnitude Adjusted to 5.4 After Reassessment
Following detailed reviews by seismic experts, the earthquake’s magnitude was confirmed at 5.4. The depth remained consistent at approximately 14 kilometers, with the epicenter located southwest of Mamburao. The strongest tremors were centered in Occidental Mindoro and Oriental Mindoro communities. Weaker shaking extended to Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon, and Metro Manila. The distribution of intensity levels indicated that a broad area across Luzon experienced the effects of Friday morning’s seismic activity.
The Philippines is frequently affected by earthquakes due to the presence of multiple active tectonic boundaries surrounding and intersecting the archipelago. Seismic monitoring stations nationwide continuously track such events, updating data as it becomes available. The recent quake near Occidental Mindoro caused widespread shaking but no immediate reports of major damage in the initial assessment. Authorities remain vigilant for aftershocks, and the latest official measurement remains at 5.4, replacing the initial higher estimate issued shortly after the event.