Several towns across the province of Leyte were shaken by a magnitude 4.4 tectonic earthquake on the afternoon of Wednesday, September 17, 2026, with the highest intensities recorded in Capoocan and the municipality of Leyte. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS-DOST) confirmed the event and stated that neither structural damage nor aftershocks are anticipated following the tremor.
Event Details and Location
According to PHIVOLCS-DOST, the earthquake struck at exactly 3:59:13 PM Philippine Standard Time on September 17, 2026. The agency pinpointed the epicenter approximately 8 kilometers west-northwest of Capoocan, Leyte, at geographic coordinates 11.29°N, 124.57°E. The quake originated at a shallow depth of just 8 kilometers beneath the surface and was classified as tectonic in nature — meaning it was caused by the movement of tectonic plates rather than volcanic activity.
Shallow earthquakes such as this one, occurring at depths of 10 kilometers or less, tend to generate stronger ground shaking near the epicenter compared to deeper events of the same magnitude. PHIVOLCS-DOST released its official bulletin — designated Earthquake Information No. 2 — at 4:29 PM PHT on the same day, approximately 30 minutes after the earthquake occurred.
Shaking Felt Across Multiple Communities
PHIVOLCS-DOST documented felt shaking across a wide range of towns and cities in Leyte, measuring intensities using the PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale (PEIS). The reported intensities varied from Intensity II to Intensity IV depending on the location.
The highest recorded level, Intensity IV, was felt in Capoocan and the municipality of Leyte. At this intensity level, PHIVOLCS-DOST describes the shaking as "strong" — noticeable by many people who are indoors, capable of causing hanging objects to swing considerably, and strong enough to rouse some people who are asleep at the time of the tremor.
At the next level down, Intensity III — characterized by weak to moderately felt shaking — was reported in four communities: Villaba, Carigara, Tabango, and Kananga, all located within Leyte. PHIVOLCS-DOST notes that at Intensity III, vibrations are perceptible indoors and are comparable in sensation to the rumbling caused by a light truck passing nearby.
At the lowest felt level, Intensity II — described as very slight shaking — was reported in Palompon, the City of Ormoc, Matag-ob, Alangalang, and San Isidro, also all within Leyte. At Intensity II, only a limited number of people — particularly those at rest or situated on the upper floors of buildings — would typically notice any movement.
Instrument-Detected Readings
Beyond the felt reports submitted by residents, PHIVOLCS-DOST's seismic monitoring network also captured instrumental intensity readings — data gathered directly by seismographic equipment rather than by human observation. The agency reported that instruments recorded Intensity III shaking in Kananga and Villaba, Leyte. Intensity II was detected instrumentally in Alangalang and the City of Ormoc, also in Leyte. Further afield, seismic instruments in San Jorge and Villareal, Samar registered Intensity I — the lowest level on the PEIS scale, typically imperceptible to people without instrumentation.
Assessment: No Damage, No Aftershocks Anticipated
PHIVOLCS-DOST formally assessed that the September 17 earthquake is not expected to produce any structural damage, and no aftershocks are foreseen at this time. The agency declared the Earthquake Information No. 2 bulletin to be its final release on the event unless new data or developments warrant an additional update. Residents in affected communities are encouraged to continue monitoring official PHIVOLCS channels for the latest advisories.
For continuous updates and seismic monitoring data, PHIVOLCS-DOST directs the public to its official website at phivolcs.dost.gov.ph, where epicentral maps and full bulletins are available.
By the Numbers
- 4.4 — magnitude of the earthquake as recorded by PHIVOLCS-DOST
- 8 km — distance of the epicenter west-northwest of Capoocan, Leyte
- 8 km — shallow focal depth of the earthquake
- 3:59:13 PM PHT — exact time the earthquake struck on September 17, 2026
- 4:29 PM PHT — time PHIVOLCS-DOST issued its official bulletin
- Intensity IV — strongest shaking level reported, felt in Capoocan and the municipality of Leyte
- 10+ localities — number of towns and cities across Leyte and Samar that recorded felt or instrumental readings
Why This Matters
Earthquakes of magnitude 4.4 occurring at shallow depths are capable of generating notable ground shaking across a broad area, as demonstrated by the spread of felt intensities from Capoocan to Ormoc and even into parts of Samar. While PHIVOLCS-DOST has assessed no damage and no aftershocks for this particular event, the tremor serves as a reminder that Leyte and the broader Eastern Visayas region sit within one of the Philippines' most seismically active zones. The agency's rapid bulletin release — within 30 minutes of the quake — underscores the importance of real-time monitoring infrastructure in ensuring communities receive timely and accurate information following seismic events.
Source: PHIVOLCS-DOST Earthquake Information No. 2, September 17, 2026