Magnitude 4.7 quake hits Zambales, no damage expected — Phivolcs

A magnitude 4.7 earthquake jolted Zambales early Thursday, marking the second tremor in less than a week linked to the Manila Trench, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol, in a televised interview, said the earthquake occurred at around 2:09 a.m., with the epicenter located 10 kilometers north and 83 kilometers west of Masinloc at a depth of 30 kilometers.

The highest recorded intensity was Intensity IV in Iba. Bacolcol said the quake most likely originated from the Manila Trench, similar to the magnitude 5.0 earthquake that struck Botolan last Saturday.

The Manila Trench is an oceanic trench west of Luzon and Mindoro with a depth of about 5,400 meters. It is a major subduction zone capable of producing powerful earthquakes and tsunamis.

Phivolcs said no damage or aftershocks are expected from the quake, which was classified as light.

Bacolcol urged residents to stay prepared by keeping emergency go-bags with essential items such as first aid kits, flashlights, batteries, whistles, and chargers. He also reiterated the importance of the “duck, cover, and hold” technique during strong shaking.

“When there is strong shaking, don’t run and don’t evacuate immediately. You might fall because the ground is moving. This is what we always remind everyone to do: duck, cover, and hold. Wait for the shaking to stop, and once it has stopped, evacuate calmly, don’t panic, and move to an open space,” he said.