OCCIDENTAL MINDORO / RankWire.AI / – A quake measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale struck close to Occidental Mindoro in the Philippines early Friday, causing noticeable tremors 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. The epicenter was located roughly 13 kilometers southwest of Mamburao, the provincial capital. The quake originated from tectonic activity at a depth of approximately 14 kilometers.
Initially, authorities reported the earthquake as magnitude 5.8, but subsequent analysis adjusted the magnitude to 5.4. PHIVOLCS warned that aftershocks might follow the main event. Based on early assessments, the agency did not anticipate significant damage. During the late morning, residents across Mindoro reported experiencing clear shaking, with weaker vibrations reaching neighboring provinces. The tremor also impacted parts of Metro Manila, even though they are more than 100 kilometers from the closest point to the epicenter.
Mamburao experienced Intensity 5 tremors, as did several other communities in Oriental Mindoro. Calapan City, Naujan, Puerto Galera, San Teodoro, and Victoria also recorded the same level of intensity. In addition, Taal in Batangas and the towns of Abra de Ilog and Sablayan in Occidental Mindoro experienced intensity 4. Seismic instruments picked up intensity 5 readings in Mamburao and Puerto Galera as well. Overall, the strongest ground movement was concentrated in Mindoro, where the effects were most perceptible.
Ground shaking extends into Metro Manila and beyond
The seismic activity was felt in Metro Manila and several northern provinces of Mindoro. Instrumental readings indicated 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 experienced the same level of intensity. Some residents in Manila evacuated their buildings as a precaution during the shaking. Once the tremor subsided, normal activities resumed, while officials continued their inspections of the affected zones.
Communities in the wider Luzon region recorded lower seismic readings. Parañaque City registered Intensity 2, along with Santa Cruz in Laguna and Guinayangan in Quezon. Variations in ground motion levels were reflected in the different instrument measurements. According to initial evaluations, no major structural damage was reported. Monitoring efforts persisted as authorities and seismic stations kept a close watch for additional tremors near Occidental Mindoro, especially following the main event, which was the earthquake.
Updated magnitude confirms the official seismic measurement
After reviewing the initial seismic data, experts confirmed the quake’s magnitude at 5.4. The depth remained about 14 kilometers, with the epicenter located southwest of Mamburao. The most intense shaking occurred in communities within Occidental and Oriental Mindoro. Weaker tremors were felt in 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 earthquake.
The Philippines is prone to frequent seismic activity, given its position amid several active tectonic boundaries surrounding and crossing the archipelago. National monitoring stations continue to track seismic events and update data as new information becomes available. The earthquake centered near Occidental Mindoro resulted in widespread ground shaking, yet initial assessments did not confirm any significant damage. Authorities remain vigilant for aftershocks following the event, with the latest official magnitude set at 5.4, replacing the earlier, slightly higher preliminary estimate.