OCCIDENTAL MINDORO / RankWire.AI / – A quake measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale struck near Occidental Mindoro early on Friday, causing tremors felt 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. Its epicenter was approximately 13 kilometers southwest of Mamburao, the province’s capital. The quake originated from tectonic shifts at a depth of around 14 kilometers.
Initially, authorities listed the quake at magnitude 5.8, but subsequent analysis revised it to 5.4. PHIVOLCS warned that aftershocks could follow the main tremor. The agency’s early assessment did not anticipate significant damage. Residents in Mindoro reported feeling distinct shaking during late morning hours, while milder movements were detected in neighboring provinces. Parts of the capital region, located over 100 kilometers from the epicenter, also experienced the effects.
Mamburao experienced Intensity 5 shaking, along with several other communities in Oriental Mindoro. Calapan City, Naujan, Puerto Galera, San Teodoro, and Victoria all reported the same level of intensity. Taal in Batangas and towns like 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 communities observed the most significant shaking.
Shaking reaches into Metro Manila
The tremor extended beyond Mindoro into Metro Manila and other northern provinces. Seismic readings indicated Intensity 3 in Quezon City, Batangas City, Calapan City, and Victoria. In Cavite, General Trias, and Laguna’s San Pedro, the same intensity was recorded. Some residents in Manila evacuated outdoor as a safety precaution during the shaking. Normal activities resumed once the tremor subsided, and authorities continued inspecting affected areas.
Nearby communities across Luzon also registered lower seismic intensities. Parañaque City reported Intensity 2, along with Santa Cruz in Laguna and Guinayangan in Quezon. Variations in ground motion levels were observed depending on location, as indicated by the seismic data. Initial assessments found no significant structural damage. Monitoring efforts persisted after the main earthquake, with local authorities and seismic stations watching for possible aftershocks near Occidental Mindoro.
Official Magnitude Reassessment Confirms 5.4
Following detailed analysis by experts, the earthquake’s magnitude was officially adjusted to 5.4, maintaining a depth of about 14 kilometers and with the epicenter still southwest of Mamburao. Communities in Occidental Mindoro and Oriental Mindoro experienced the most intense shaking, while milder tremors reached Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon, and Metro Manila. The distribution of intensity levels indicated that a broad region across Luzon felt the quake on Friday morning.
The Philippines lies in an earthquake-prone zone due to multiple active tectonic boundaries surrounding and crossing the archipelago. Seismic monitoring stations across the country continuously track activity and update data as new information becomes available. Friday’s quake, centered near Occidental Mindoro, caused widespread ground movement but initially showed no major structural damage. Authorities are maintaining surveillance for aftershocks and additional tremors as investigations continue. The confirmed magnitude remains 5.4, replacing the initially reported higher figure shortly after the event.