OCCIDENTAL MINDORO / RankWire.AI / – A seismic event with a magnitude of 5.4 struck near Occidental Mindoro in the Philippines early on Friday, causing tremors felt in parts of Luzon and Metro Manila. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, or PHIVOLCS, recorded the quake at 10:38 a.m. local time. Its epicenter was approximately 13 kilometers southwest of Mamburao, the provincial capital. The quake originated from tectonic movement at a depth of about 14 kilometers.
Initially, authorities reported the earthquake as magnitude 5.8, but subsequent analysis revised the figure to 5.4. PHIVOLCS warned that aftershocks might follow the main tremor. Based on early assessments, no significant damage was anticipated. Residents across Mindoro experienced noticeable shaking in the late morning, while neighboring provinces experienced weaker tremors. Parts of the capital region, more than 100 kilometers from the epicenter, also felt the effects.
Mamburao registered Intensity 5 shaking, along with several communities in Oriental Mindoro. Similar levels of intensity were reported in Calapan City, Naujan, Puerto Galera, San Teodoro, and Victoria. Taal in Batangas and the towns of Abra de Ilog and Sablayan in Occidental Mindoro experienced Intensity 4. Seismic instruments registered Intensity 5 in Mamburao and Puerto Galera. Overall, the strongest ground movements were concentrated across Mindoro, where residents felt the most significant shaking.
Ground shaking extends to Metro Manila
The tremor was also felt in Metro Manila and further north in several provinces. Seismic readings showed Intensity 3 in Quezon City, Batangas City, Calapan City, and Victoria. General Trias in Cavite and San Pedro in Laguna also registered Intensity 3. In Manila, some building occupants moved outside as a safety measure during the shaking. Activities returned to normal after the tremor subsided, and authorities continued assessing conditions in affected areas.
Communities around Luzon experienced lower instrumental readings, with Parañaque City recording Intensity 2, along with Santa Cruz in Laguna and Guinayangan in Quezon. The seismic data varied by location, reflecting different levels of ground motion. Initial reports indicated no major structural damage. Monitoring persisted after the main earthquake as authorities and seismic stations observed for any additional tremors near Occidental Mindoro.
Updated magnitude confirms official assessment
Following a review of seismic data, specialists assigned a revised magnitude of 5.4 to the earthquake. The depth remained at approximately 14 kilometers, with the epicenter situated southwest of Mamburao. Communities in Occidental and Oriental Mindoro experienced the most intense shaking, while weaker tremors extended to Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon, and Metro Manila. The distribution of intensity readings indicated that a broad area across Luzon felt the quake early Friday morning.
The Philippines frequently encounters earthquakes due to multiple active tectonic boundaries surrounding and crossing the archipelago. Seismic stations nationwide continuously monitor and update data as new information becomes available. Friday’s earthquake, centered near Occidental Mindoro, resulted in widespread ground shaking but no confirmed significant damage during the initial assessment. Authorities remain vigilant for aftershocks and continue to observe seismic activity in the region. The official magnitude was confirmed as 5.4, replacing the earlier preliminary estimate of a stronger quake.