Photo credit: PHIVOLCS-DOST

Monday, January 20, 2025 - 6:42 PM: Just as the evening was settling in, a tectonic surprise rippled through parts of Luzon. A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck off the coast, 23 kilometers northeast of Lubang, Occidental Mindoro. Its depth of 116 kilometers might have spared the area from severe damage, but it didn't go unnoticed, especially in nearby provinces and Metro Manila.

Where It All Shook
The epicenter was located at 13.96°N, 120.31°E, and the quake was classified as tectonic in origin. Here's how it was felt across different areas:
• Intensity IV: Lubang, Occidental Mindoro had the strongest shakes, where residents definitely felt the ground move under their feet.
• Intensity III: The cities of Quezon, Makati, and Taguig, as well as parts of Bulacan, Bataan, Rizal, and Laguna, experienced a noticeable but less severe jolt.
• Intensity II: In places like Puerto Galera, Batangas, and Cavite, the tremor was gentler, likely causing only slight movements.
• Intensity I: Some areas in Muntinlupa might have barely noticed the quake unless they were particularly attuned to such subtle movements.

Instrumental Readings
Instrumental measurements added more detail, indicating areas like Tagaytay and Calapan experienced a similar Intensity III, while other towns in Bulacan, Batangas, Cavite, and Laguna felt a milder Intensity II or I.

Damage and Aftershocks
Good news for everyone—no damage has been reported. But, there’s a heads-up: aftershocks could follow. So, it's wise to stay alert, even if the main event didn’t cause any harm.
Stay safe and keep those emergency kits handy, just in case nature decides to shake things up a bit more!