Volcanic activity, fault movement cause tremors in Albay

By Ernie Delgado

LEGAZPI CITY --- People living near Mount Mayon often feel the ground move. Sometimes it’s just a light tremor, like a breeze, and at other times a sharp jolt that can knock dishes off the counter. Over time, these subtle shifts have become part of everyday life in nearby communities.

On Friday, June 5, more than a dozen volcanic earthquakes and tremors shook the area around Mayon. State volcanologists recorded 14 volcanic earthquakes and three volcanic tremors in a 24-hour period.

As night fell over Albay, the volcano’s seismic activity intensified.

At 9:57 p.m., a magnitude 5.4 earthquake struck the province, further shaking areas already affected by the volcano’s unrest. It was later lowered by state volcanologists to 5.3. The epicenter was 15 kilometers east of Santo Domingo, a town close to the base of Mayon, and it was 9 kilometers deep.

Many residents took to social media to share that they were awakened by the shaking and rushed into the streets, with some children crying in confusion.

“The shaking was so strong that I was roused from sleep. I quickly grabbed my child and rushed outside,” said Jasmin Paula Del Ayre.

Criste Vibal expressed her fear of going back to sleep after seeing cracks in her child’s house in Barangay Tamaoyan, Legazpi City, following the earthquake.

A minor rockfall was recorded at Kapuntukan Hill along Legazpi Boulevard following the earthquake.

The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) of Sto. Domingo reported two minor rockslide incidents in Barangay Alimsog and another in Barangay Buhatan after the earthquake.

The roads near the affected areas remain passable, but motorists have been advised to exercise caution, according to the MDRRMO.

Albay Governor Noel Rosal led an engineering team to assess the structural integrity of government buildings and other infrastructure.

After the earthquake, cracks were found in a road and a seaport under construction in Sitio Balete, Barangay Alimsog, according to Rosal’s Facebook post.

Intensity V was felt in Santo Domingo and Legazpi City, Albay.

Intensity IV was reported in Ligao City, Tabaco City, and Malilipot, Albay, as well as in Sorsogon City, Irosin, and Donsol, Sorsogon

Intensity III was felt in Malinao, Albay; Naga City, Camarines Sur; Sorsogon City, Juban, and Prieto Diaz, Sorsogon; as well as in Monreal, Masbate

Intensity II was reported in Goa, Camarines Sur; Bulan, Sorsogon; Allen, Biri, Bobon, Catarman, Lavezares, Rosario, and San Jose, Northern Samar; Masbate City, Dimasalang, and San Fernando, Masbate.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivocs) recorded the following instrumental intensities:

Intensity VI: Tabaco City, Albay

Intensity V: Castilla, Sorsogon

Intensity IV: Sorsogon City, Sorsogon; Iriga City, Camarines Sur

Intensity III: Prieto Diaz, Sorsogon; Sagñay, Sipocot, and Pili, Camarines Sur; Mercedes, Camarines Norte; Monreal, Masbate

Intensity II: Ragay and Pasacao, Camarines Sur; Milagros, Masbate; Gandara, Samar; San Roque, Northern Samar

Intensity I: Aroroy, Masbate; Gumaca, Quezon

Reported intensity refers to the traditional method of assessing earthquake intensity based on people’s experiences.

On the other hand, instrumental intensity is assessed with a device that measures how much the ground is shaking.

As of 9:00 a.m. on Monday, there have been approximately 23 aftershocks, all weaker than the main movement. The strongest aftershock recorded so far had a magnitude of 3.9 and occurred at 2:51 a.m. on Sunday.

Prior to the magnitude 5.3 earthquake, Phivolcs recorded a magnitude 4.1 quake northeast of Sto. Domingo at 7:22 p.m., followed by a magnitude 3.1 tremor around 8:09 p.m.

Seismologists suggested that the active fault segments and systems near Sto. Domingo are part of a dense network connected to the larger Philippine Fault Zone.

154 days of continuous eruption

Meanwhile, Mayon’s ongoing eruption has lasted more than 150 days, making it the longest continuous eruption recorded since 1616.

The volcano has shown steady lava flow, repeated pyroclastic density currents, sulfur dioxide emissions, and volcanic earthquakes, all of which are signs that magma is still being supplied.

As of the latest reports, 1,123 families, or 4,103 individuals, remain in government-provided emergency shelters. (PIA Bicol)

Santo Domingo, Albay, was shaken by a magnitude 5.3 earthquake on June 5, 2026. (Image from by Phivolcs/Facebook)