A magnitude 4.4 earthquake rattled offshore waters near Eastern Samar last October 31, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), though no damage or casualties were reported.
The seismic event occurred at coordinates 11.94° N, 126.06° E, roughly 64 kilometers south 81° east of Dolores, Eastern Samar at a depth of 19 km beneath the sea.
PHIVOLCS classified the origin of the tremor as tectonic.
Though magnitude 4.4 earthquakes typically pose minimal risk of structural damage, the relatively shallow depth means the shaking may have been noticeable to residents and coastal communities.
The offshore location likely reduced the potential for damage compared with an on-land event.
Eastern Samar lies within the Philippine Mobile Belt, a region marked by frequent smaller quakes and occasional larger seismic events linked to the complex interaction of crustal plates.
Past tremors in the area have ranged in magnitude and intensity, though a magnitude 4.4 event is considered moderate and unusual only in its clarity rather than its destructive potential.
PHIVOLCS has not issued a tsunami warning for this event, and no after-shock sequence has been publicly reported.
Local residents are nevertheless advised to secure heavy furniture, remain alert for any further shaking, and follow instructions from local disaster-response bodies.
While the Philippines is regularly shaken by seismic activity, the swift reporting by PHIVOLCS underscores the agency’s role in monitoring and alerting the public.
Experts note that even moderate quakes serve as a reminder of the need for preparedness.
No official assessment has been issued on damage or felt-intensity reports from communities near the epicenter.
The lack of immediate aftershock warnings suggests that while the tremor was clearly recorded, its impact was minimal. Authorities continue to monitor the region for further seismic activity.
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