Magnitude 4.7 Earthquake Rocks Zambales: Metro Manila and Luzon Affected

MANILA — In a seismic event that reverberated across Luzon, including Metro Manila, a magnitude 4.7 earthquake struck the waters off Zambales province on Thursday afternoon, as confirmed by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

Phivolcs initially recorded the quake at magnitude 4.8, pinpointing its epicenter 28 kilometers off the coast of Palauig town at 3:16 p.m., July 6, according to the institute’s second bulletin.

With a depth of 38 kilometers, categorizing it as “shallow” based on Phivolcs’ earthquake depth classification, the tectonic tremor possessed a higher intensity compared to deeper ones. Despite this, Phivolcs did not issue a tsunami warning, as the undersea quake was not expected to trigger aftershocks or cause any significant damage.

Palauig town, located near the epicenter, experienced the quake at a “moderately strong” Intensity 4. Meanwhile, the surrounding areas felt the tremor at a “weak” Intensity 3. These areas include Mandaluyong, Manila, Marikina, Quezon City, Parañaque, Pasay, and Pasig in the capital region, as well as Agno, Alaminos, Dasol, Infanta, and Labrador in Pangasinan. Additionally, Obando in Bulacan, and Botolan, Cabangan, Iba, Masinloc, San Marcelino, and Santa Cruz in Zambales reported the same Intensity 3.

Further areas affected by the earthquake experienced a milder impact. Makati and Taguig cities, Bautista and Bolinao in Pangasinan, Dagupan City and Floridablanca in Pampanga, and Castillejos, San Antonio, San Felipe, and Subic in Zambales all reported Intensity 2. Olongapo City also experienced the tremor at the same intensity level.