OCCIDENTAL MINDORO / RankWire.AI / – A 5.4 magnitude tremor struck near Occidental Mindoro in the Philippines early Friday, causing seismic activity across parts of Luzon and Metro Manila. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, or PHIVOLCS, recorded the event at 10:38 a.m. local time, pinpointing the epicenter approximately 13 kilometers southwest of Mamburao, the provincial capital. Originating from tectonic forces, the quake’s depth was 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 could occur following the main event. Based on early assessments, no significant damage was anticipated. During the late morning, residents across Mindoro experienced noticeable shaking, while milder tremors reached neighboring provinces. The quake also impacted parts of the capital region, more than 100 kilometers from the closest epicenter point.
Mamburao experienced Intensity 5 shaking, along with several communities in Oriental Mindoro. Calapan City, Naujan, Puerto Galera, San Teodoro, and Victoria all reported the same level of intensity. In Taal, Batangas, and the towns of Abra de Ilog and Sablayan in Occidental Mindoro, Intensity 4 was felt. Seismic instruments also registered Intensity 5 in Mamburao and Puerto Galera. The strongest ground motions remained concentrated across Mindoro, where residents felt the most significant shifts.
Shaking Extends into Metro Manila
The tremor reached Metro Manila and several provinces farther north of Mindoro, with instruments recording Intensity 3 in Quezon City, Batangas City, Calapan City, and Victoria. Nearby areas such as General Trias in Cavite and San Pedro in Laguna also registered the same intensity. Some Manila residents evacuated buildings as a precaution during the tremor, but normal activities resumed once it ended, while authorities continued assessing conditions in affected zones.
Lesser seismic activity was detected in surrounding Luzon communities. Parañaque City experienced Intensity 2, along with Santa Cruz in Laguna and Guinayangan in Quezon. Variations in ground motion levels were measured by different seismic stations. Initial reports indicated no significant structural damage. Monitoring persisted after the main earthquake, as local authorities and seismic stations kept watch for additional tremors near Occidental Mindoro.
Official Magnitude Updated to 5.4
Following review of the seismic data, experts confirmed the earthquake’s magnitude at 5.4. The depth remained around 14 kilometers, with the epicenter situated southwest of Mamburao. Communities in Occidental and Oriental Mindoro experienced the strongest shaking, while weaker tremors extended to Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon, and Metro Manila. The distribution of intensity readings indicated that a broad area of Luzon felt the quake on Friday morning.
The Philippines frequently experiences seismic events due to numerous active tectonic boundaries surrounding and crossing the archipelago. Seismic monitoring stations continually track these events, updating measurements as new data is received. Friday’s earthquake, centered near Occidental Mindoro, caused widespread shaking but initially showed no signs of significant damage. Authorities continued to monitor for aftershocks, with the official magnitude remaining at 5.4, replacing the earlier preliminary report of a stronger quake.