Philippines: Magnitude-5.1 earthquake strikes in South China Sea, west of central Luzon, March 11

Event

A magnitude-5.1 earthquake occurred in the South China Sea, west of central Luzon, at around 1524 March 11. The epicenter was around 130 km (81 miles) northwest of Olongapo City, Zambales Province. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 10 km (6 miles). Light-to-moderate shaking may have occurred in Pangasinan and Zambales provinces, while weak-to-light shaking may have been felt in Bataan, Benguet, Bulacan, La Union, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Pampanga, and Tarlac provinces and Metro Manila. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties because of the earthquake, and significant damage is unlikely. Aftershocks are possible over the coming days. Authorities have not issued any tsunami advisories.

Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Out of an abundance of caution, consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.