OCCIDENTAL MINDORO / RankWire.AI / – A quake measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale impacted the vicinity of Occidental Mindoro in the Philippines early Friday morning, causing tremors felt in parts of Luzon and Metro Manila. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, known as PHIVOLCS, recorded the seismic activity at 10:38 a.m. local time. The epicenter was located approximately 13 kilometers southwest of Mamburao, the provincial capital. The quake originated from tectonic shifts at a depth of roughly 14 kilometers.
Initially, officials listed the earthquake as magnitude 5.8 before subsequent analysis revised it to 5.4. PHIVOLCS cautioned that aftershocks could follow the main event. Based on preliminary evaluations, the agency did not anticipate significant damage. During the late morning hours, residents across Mindoro experienced noticeable shaking, with milder vibrations reaching neighboring provinces. The tremor also impacted parts of the capital region, more than 100 kilometers from the closest point to the epicenter.
Mamburao reported Intensity 5 shaking, along with several communities in Oriental Mindoro. The cities of Calapan, Naujan, Puerto Galera, San Teodoro, and Victoria also registered the same intensity level. Taal in Batangas, as well as the towns of Abra de Ilog and Sablayan in Occidental Mindoro, experienced Intensity 4. Seismic instruments recorded Intensity 5 in Mamburao and Puerto Galera. Overall, the strongest ground movement was concentrated across Mindoro, where communities felt the most pronounced vibrations.
Ground Shaking Extends into Metro Manila
The seismic activity reached Metro Manila and several northern provinces of Mindoro. Instrument measurements indicated Intensity 3 in Quezon City, Batangas City, Calapan City, and Victoria. The cities of General Trias in Cavite and San Pedro in Laguna also recorded similar intensity levels. Some residents in Manila evacuated their buildings as a precautionary measure during the shaking. Normal activities resumed once the tremor subsided, while authorities continued to assess conditions in affected areas.
Weaker seismic readings appeared in other parts of Luzon. Parañaque City noted an Intensity 2, as did Santa Cruz in Laguna and Guinayangan in Quezon. Variations in ground motion measurements reflected differences across locations. Officials reported no major structural damage during the initial assessment. Monitoring persisted after the main earthquake as local authorities and seismic stations remained vigilant for additional tremors near Occidental Mindoro.
The official magnitude has been updated to 5.4 following review
Following a thorough review of seismic data, specialists confirmed the earthquake’s magnitude as 5.4. The depth was consistent at approximately 14 kilometers, with the epicenter located southwest of Mamburao. Communities in Occidental and Oriental Mindoro experienced stronger shaking, while milder tremors affected Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon, and Metro Manila. The distribution of intensity readings indicated that a wide area across Luzon felt the seismic event on Friday morning.
Due to the Philippines’ location near multiple active tectonic boundaries, the country frequently experiences earthquakes. National monitoring facilities continuously track seismic activity and update data as new information becomes available. While Friday’s quake near Occidental Mindoro generated widespread shaking, initial assessments indicated no significant damage. Authorities continued to observe for aftershocks in the aftermath of the event. The latest official measurement remained at 5.4, replacing the earlier, higher preliminary reading shortly after the quake occurred.