Philippines: Magnitude-5.8 offshore earthquake occurs just offshore of southwestern Luzon at around 23:08 Aug. 13

Event

A magnitude-5.8 offshore earthquake occurred in Balayan Bay, just offshore of southern Luzon Island in the Philippines, at around 23:08 Aug. 13 The epicenter was about 24 km (15 miles) west of Batangas City. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 129 km (80 miles), and weak-to-light shaking was probably felt in nearby areas of Luzon, Mindoro, and nearby, smaller islands. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Due to the depth of the earthquake, significant structural damage is unlikely. Aftershocks are possible over the coming days. The event has not prompted 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.