The Philippines sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire — over 200 active faults crisscross the archipelago. Learn the PHIVOLCS intensity scale, Drop-Cover-Hold-On technique, and what every Filipino family must do before, during, and after a lindol.
The PEIS is the official scale used in the Philippines — different from the Richter scale (magnitude). Intensity describes what you feel at a specific location, not total energy released.
| Level | Intensity Name | What You Feel / Observe | What To Do |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | Scarcely Perceptible |
Felt only by very few people at rest. Not noticeable by most. Seismographs detect it. | No action needed. Monitor PHIVOLCS updates. |
| II | Slightly Felt |
Felt by few people at rest indoors. Hanging objects sway slightly. No structural effects. | Stay calm. Note time and duration. No evacuation needed. |
| III | Weak |
Felt by many people indoors. Vibrations like a passing truck. Parked vehicles rock slightly. | DROP-COVER-HOLD if you feel unsafe. Check your area for loose objects. |
| IV | Moderately Strong |
Felt generally by people indoors and by some people outdoors. Dishes and windows clatter. Walls creak. | DROP-COVER-HOLD immediately. Stay away from windows. Prepare go-bag. |
| V | Strong |
Generally felt. Many people are frightened; some run outdoors. Strong objects fall. Liquids spill. | DROP-COVER-HOLD. Do not run outside during shaking. Check for injuries afterward. |
| VI | Very Strong |
Many people run outdoors. Heavy objects fall; furniture shifts. Slight damage to poorly-built structures. | Evacuate calmly after shaking stops. Check structure for cracks. Activate family plan. |
| VII | Destructive |
Most people run outdoors. Damage to old and poorly-built structures. Cracks in ground; landslides possible. | Evacuate if LGU orders. Check for gas leaks. Move to open ground away from buildings. |
| VIII | Very Destructive |
Widespread damage to well-built structures. Landslides common. Underground pipes break. | Follow LGU evacuation orders. Avoid damaged buildings. Watch for aftershocks & tsunami risk. |
| IX | Devastating |
Most structures collapse. Ground severely cracked; general panic. Tsunami alert likely for coastal areas. | Evacuate immediately. Move to high ground if coastal. Call 911. Use emergency kit. |
| X | Completely Devastating |
Total or near-total destruction. Bridges destroyed. Massive landslides and tsunami waves. Railway rails bent. | Survive, then evacuate. Seek high ground. Use whistle if trapped. Await rescue. |
Recommended by PHIVOLCS, NDRRMC, and the Philippine Red Cross. Do this the moment you feel shaking — do not run outside during an earthquake.
The instant you feel shaking, drop to your hands and knees. This prevents you from being knocked over, and keeps you low — where falling debris is less likely to hit you. Do not freeze, do not run — DROP immediately.
Get under a sturdy desk or table. If no table is nearby, kneel against an interior wall (not exterior), away from windows, and protect your head and neck with both arms. In typical Philippine concrete homes, interior walls provide good protection.
Grip the table legs firmly and move with the table if it slides. Stay in position until the shaking completely stops — usually 10–60 seconds. After shaking stops, calmly assess your situation before moving. Aftershocks may follow.
Most earthquake deaths are caused by falling objects, collapsing structures, and fires — not the ground shaking itself. Preparation is your greatest defense.
Do these before the next lindol — not during.
Your survival depends on the first 10–60 seconds. Know what to do in each location before a lindol strikes.
The minutes and hours after a major lindol are critical. Act fast on these life-safety priorities.
Aftershocks can occur seconds, minutes, hours, or even days after the main earthquake — and can themselves be powerful enough to cause damage. Stay in your safe position or outdoors in open ground. Each time you feel shaking, DROP-COVER-HOLD immediately. Do not re-enter damaged buildings between aftershocks.
If you are in a coastal area and felt strong or prolonged shaking — do NOT wait for an official warning. Move inland and uphill immediately. A tsunami can arrive in as little as 5 minutes. The sea receding (water pulling back) is a warning sign. Know your barangay's tsunami evacuation route and vertical evacuation points in advance.
If you smell gas (rotten egg odor), do NOT turn on any switches or lights. Open windows, leave immediately, and shut off the LPG tank valve from outside if safe to do so. Call your LPG supplier's emergency line. In Metro Manila: Solane 1800-10-SOLANE, Gasul (02) 8887-1111. Do not re-enter until the area is cleared.
Call 911 for life-threatening emergencies. If lines are jammed, send an SMS — text messages often get through when calls cannot. Contact your barangay DRRM office. Use the ProjectLIGTAS community reporting feature to share your situation with local responders. Check on neighbors, especially elderly and disabled individuals.
Store these items in a durable, water-resistant bag in an easily-accessible location. Review and restock every 6 months. Full evacuation kit guide →
Common questions about earthquakes in the Philippines, the "Big One" scenario, and what to do before and after a lindol.
Download this guide, pack your earthquake kit, and practice Drop-Cover-Hold-On with your family today. In Metro Manila, the next major earthquake is a matter of when — not if.