Weak but perceptible tremors reached several communities in Southern Leyte on the morning of Wednesday, May 20, 2026, after a magnitude 4.6 tectonic earthquake originated near the coastal town of Burgos in Surigao del Norte. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS-DOST) confirmed the event and issued an official bulletin at 11:30 AM, stating that no damage and no aftershocks are anticipated from the quake.
Details of the Seismic Event
According to PHIVOLCS-DOST, the earthquake was recorded at exactly 10:26:46 AM local time. The epicenter was pinpointed approximately 6 kilometers south 59° east of Burgos, Surigao del Norte, placing it at geographic coordinates 9.99°N, 126.12°E. The quake originated at a focal depth of 21 kilometers beneath the earth's surface and was classified as tectonic in nature — meaning it was generated by the movement of tectonic plates rather than volcanic activity.
PHIVOLCS-DOST further noted that the bulletin released at 11:30 AM on the same day is intended to be the sole official communication for this particular seismic event, barring any new developments or supplementary data that may require an update.
Communities That Felt the Tremors
The shaking was felt across a number of localities in Southern Leyte, though the intensity remained relatively low throughout the affected area. PHIVOLCS-DOST reported that four municipalities in Southern Leyte — Pintuyan, San Juan, San Francisco, and San Ricardo — registered Intensity II on the PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale (PEIS).
At Intensity II, the shaking is generally described as weak. It is typically felt only by a small number of people, particularly those who are indoors, at rest, or located on the upper floors of multi-storey structures. Most individuals engaged in regular outdoor or physical activity may not notice the tremors at this level.
In addition to the felt reports gathered from residents, instrumental monitoring conducted by PHIVOLCS-DOST also confirmed Intensity II shaking in two localities: San Francisco and Hinundayan, both situated within Southern Leyte. Meanwhile, Hilongos, which falls under the neighboring province of Leyte, recorded an Intensity I reading — the lowest level on the scale — which is considered scarcely perceptible and is generally detected only by seismological instruments rather than by human senses.
No Threat of Damage or Follow-Up Quakes
Despite the broad geographical reach of the tremors, PHIVOLCS-DOST assessed that the magnitude 4.6 earthquake does not pose any risk of structural damage to properties in the affected areas. The agency also stated that no aftershocks are expected to follow, offering some reassurance to residents who felt the shaking earlier in the day.
This assessment aligns with standard seismological evaluations for earthquakes of similar magnitude and depth, where the energy released is generally insufficient to cause significant damage to well-constructed buildings, although weaker structures in the immediate epicentral zone may occasionally experience minor effects.
Why Surigao del Norte Is Seismically Active
The region around Surigao del Norte and the surrounding waters of Mindanao and the Eastern Visayas sit within one of the most seismically dynamic zones in the Philippines, shaped by several active fault systems and the complex interaction of multiple tectonic plates. Earthquakes of varying magnitudes are regularly recorded in this corridor, making continuous monitoring by PHIVOLCS-DOST essential for public safety preparedness.
The Philippine Seismic Network, maintained by PHIVOLCS-DOST, operates a nationwide array of seismograph stations that detect and measure ground motion in near-real time, enabling the agency to issue rapid bulletins following significant seismic events.
Public Advisory
PHIVOLCS-DOST has advised the public to rely exclusively on official communications from the agency for verified and accurate earthquake information. Residents are discouraged from sharing unverified reports or social media posts that may cause unnecessary alarm. Official earthquake data, including bulletins, instrumental readings, and hazard assessments, can be accessed through the agency's official website at phivolcs.dost.gov.ph.
For communities in earthquake-prone regions, the agency regularly encourages households and local government units to review their earthquake preparedness measures, including the identification of safe spots indoors, the securing of heavy furniture and appliances, and the establishment of family emergency plans in the event of stronger seismic activity in the future.
As of the time of the PHIVOLCS-DOST bulletin, no reports of injuries, casualties, or property damage had been received from any of the affected municipalities in Southern Leyte or from the epicentral area in Surigao del Norte.
Originally reported by: PHIVOLCS-DOST Official Bulletin / wire reports