Phivolcs Releases Bulletin about the Earthquake in Leyte, September 17, 2026
EARTHQUAKE – The Phivolcs recorded a 4.4 magnitude quake in Leyte today, September 17, 2026. Here are the details.
Following the 4.5 magnitude earthquake that previously hit Surigao del Norte, another significant quake was recently recorded by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) in another province. According to the agency, the quake recently hit the province of Leyte. It has a strong magnitude of 4.4.
The earthquake that struck Leyte today, September 17, 2026, was tectonic in origin. A tectonic quake is a shaking which is a product when the Earth’s crust breaks because of the geological forces on the rocks and the adjoining plates which result to chemical and physical changes.
According to Phivolcs, the earthquake that hit a part of Leyte was located at 11.29°North, 124.57°East – 008 km South 88° West of Capoocan. It had a depth of focus of 008 kilometers.
Phivolcs stated in its bulletin that damages are expected from the said quake but aftershocks are not. The following intensities and instrumental intensities were recorded in these areas:
Intensity II
- Palompon, Matag-ob, Alangalang, San Isidro, and Jaro, LEYTE
- ORMOC CITY
Intensity III
- Villaba, Carigara, Tabango, Barugo, Tunga, and Kananga, LEYTE
Intensity IV
- Capoocan and Leyte, LEYTE
Instrumental Intensity:
Intensity I
- San Jorge and Villareal, SAMAR
Intensity II
- Alangalang, LEYTE
- ORMOC CITY
Intensity III
- Kananga and Villaba, LEYTE
Earthquakes can hardly be predicted accurately as most experts in the field agree on. Thus, most countries really make sure that they have a bureau or an organization that monitors a quake incident across their nation.
Quakes can happen in land and underwater. In the case of the latter, it can trigger tsunami thus quake-recording agencies are also often the one that monitors tsunami threats. They are the bodies releasing advisories whenever there are threats of tsunami following a strong quake shaking the land in the coastal area or underwater.
On land, quakes can result to damages and loss of lives thus it is important to be aware of the earthquake safety tips to reduce the risk of damages and loss of lives by knowing what to do.