MALASIQUI, Pangasinan — A magnitude 5.0 earthquake jolted Zambales province Saturday evening, sending tremors rippling through several northern Luzon communities and prompting warnings of possible aftershocks.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, or Phivocls, said the tectonic quake struck at 5:32 p.m. local time, with its epicenter about 100 kilometers (62 miles) beneath the surface in the coastal town of Cabangan. No immediate reports of damage or injuries emerged, but the event briefly disrupted daily life in the affected areas.
The shaking was widely felt beyond Zambales, reaching into neighboring provinces including Bulacan, La Union, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac and Pangasinan, where residents described a sudden, swaying motion that lasted several seconds.
Phivocls recorded Intensity III shaking — strong enough to rattle dishes and windows — in Cabangan and the provincial capital of Iba. Lighter Intensity II effects, which might sway hanging objects or make people pause in conversation, were noted in a swath of towns: Calumpit in Bulacan; San Fernando in La Union; Guimba in Nueva Ecija; Bani and Dagupan City in Pangasinan; Santa Ignacia, Tarlac City and Ramos in Tarlac; and Botolan, Subic and San Marcelino in Zambales.
In Lingayen, the historic capital of Pangasinan, the Pangasinan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office logged the mildest Intensity I vibrations, felt by only a few people at rest.
Officials urged caution as aftershocks remain likely in the coming hours and days. “While this event did not cause significant structural concerns, residents should prepare for potential follow-up tremors by securing heavy objects and identifying safe spots indoors,” a Phivocls bulletin advised.
Zambales, a popular beach destination known for its dive sites and World War II-era fortifications, lies along the Manila Trench, a seismically active zone where the Philippine Sea Plate grinds against the Eurasian Plate. Such quakes are common in the archipelago nation, which sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire.”
Local authorities in the impacted areas reported no disruptions to power or transportation, and emergency response teams stood ready. Phivocls continues to monitor the situation, with updates expected as seismic data is analyzed.
