A significant M5.0 earthquake struck in the Sulawesi Sea 49 kilometer from General Santos, The Philippines deep in the night of Tuesday November 21st, 2023.
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Earthquake Summary
This earthquake hit under water in the Sulawesi Sea, right off the coast of The Philippines (4 mi offshore), 49 kilometer south of General Santos in Soccsksargen. The center of this earthquake had an intermediate depth of 87 km.
| Date and Time: | Nov 21, 2023 03:28AM (Manila Time) - Nov 20, 2023 19:28 Universal Time. |
|---|---|
| Location: | 49 km south of General Santos, Soccsksargen, The Philippines. Coordinates 5°40'18"N 125°13'23"E. |
| Map: |  Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps. |
| Magnitude: | MAG 5.0 Detected by 188 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.041 . |
| Depth: | 87 km (54 mi) An intermediate depth. |
| Tsunami Risk: | Low tsunami risk Earthquakes under MAG-6.5 do not usually cause tsunami's. Always stay cautious - More info here. |
Nearby towns and cities
This earthquake may have been felt in The Philippines . The closest significant population center near the earthquake is Glan in Soccsksargen, The Philippines. Glan is located 17 kilometer (11 mi) south of the epicenter.
Major cities near this earthquake: General Santos is located 49 km to the north. Davao is located 162 km to the north-northeast. Budta is located 191 km to the north-northwest.
The table below provides an overview of all places in proximity of today's earthquake.
Overview of nearby places
| Distance | Place |
|---|---|
| 17 km (11 mi) N from epicenter |
Glan Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 34 km (21 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Malapatan Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 48 km (30 mi) N from epicenter |
Alabel Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 49 km (30 mi) N from epicenter |
General Santos Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 64 km (40 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Polomolok Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 68 km (42 mi) N from epicenter |
Maluñgun Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 80 km (50 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Tupi Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 84 km (52 mi) NW from epicenter |
Lake Sebu Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 93 km (58 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Malita Davao, The Philippines. |
| 94 km (58 mi) NW from epicenter |
Surallah Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 97 km (60 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Bañga Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 101 km (63 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Koronadal Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 102 km (63 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Santa Maria Davao, The Philippines. |
| 121 km (75 mi) N from epicenter |
Digos Davao, The Philippines. |
| 122 km (76 mi) N from epicenter |
Magsaysay Davao, The Philippines. |
| 124 km (77 mi) N from epicenter |
Bansalan Davao, The Philippines. |
| 126 km (78 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Buluan Rehiyong Autonomo sa Muslim na Mindanao, The Philippines. |
| 127 km (79 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Isulan Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 129 km (80 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Tacurong Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 135 km (84 mi) NW from epicenter |
Laguilayan Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 149 km (93 mi) N from epicenter |
Kidapawan Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 158 km (98 mi) NW from epicenter |
Maganoy Rehiyong Autonomo sa Muslim na Mindanao, The Philippines. |
| 162 km (101 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Lupon Davao, The Philippines. |
| 162 km (101 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Davao Davao, The Philippines. |
| 165 km (103 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Kabacan Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 165 km (103 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Samal Davao, The Philippines. |
| 180 km (112 mi) NE from epicenter |
Mati Davao, The Philippines. |
| 185 km (115 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Midsayap Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 185 km (115 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Malingao Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 188 km (117 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Pagaluñgan Rehiyong Autonomo sa Muslim na Mindanao, The Philippines. |
| 189 km (117 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Panabo Davao, The Philippines. |
| 191 km (119 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Budta Rehiyong Autonomo sa Muslim na Mindanao, The Philippines. |
| 201 km (125 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Cabayangan Davao, The Philippines. |
| 204 km (127 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Cotabato Rehiyong Autonomo sa Muslim na Mindanao, The Philippines. |
| 208 km (129 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Magugpo Poblacion Davao, The Philippines. |
| 216 km (134 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Parang Rehiyong Autonomo sa Muslim na Mindanao, The Philippines. |
| 221 km (137 mi) NNE from epicenter |
San Mariano Davao, The Philippines. |
| 223 km (139 mi) NNE from epicenter |
New Corella Davao, The Philippines. |
| 225 km (140 mi) NE from epicenter |
Manay Davao, The Philippines. |
| 225 km (140 mi) N from epicenter |
Don Carlos Northern Mindanao, The Philippines. |
| 229 km (142 mi) N from epicenter |
Quezon Northern Mindanao, The Philippines. |
| 230 km (143 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Nabunturan Davao, The Philippines. |
| 232 km (144 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Wao Rehiyong Autonomo sa Muslim na Mindanao, The Philippines. |
| 234 km (145 mi) N from epicenter |
Maramag Northern Mindanao, The Philippines. |
| 242 km (150 mi) N from epicenter |
Dologon Northern Mindanao, The Philippines. |
| 242 km (150 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Compostela Davao, The Philippines. |
| 249 km (155 mi) N from epicenter |
NIA Valencia Northern Mindanao, The Philippines. |
| 255 km (158 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Monkayo Davao, The Philippines. |
| 277 km (172 mi) N from epicenter |
Malaybalay Northern Mindanao, The Philippines. |
| 279 km (173 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Marawi City Rehiyong Autonomo sa Muslim na Mindanao, The Philippines. |
| 279 km (173 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Veruela Caraga, The Philippines. |
| 299 km (186 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Mantampay Northern Mindanao, The Philippines. |
Shaking reported by 2 people
People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 2 people have reported shaking in 2 places in Philippines.We keep updating this article as more ground reports become available. You may report that you felt this earthquake here.
Places with most reports:
- Buayan, Southern Mindanao, Philippines: 1 person.
- Koronadal, Southern Mindanao, Philippines: 1 person.
6 Aftershocks detected
Since this main shock, 6 smaller aftershocks were detected. A 4.8 magnitude earthquake hit 2 days later 24 km (15 mi) southwest of this earthquake.
Before this earthquake struck, 8 smaller foreshocks occurred. A 4.5 magnitude earthquake hit 2 days earlier nearby.
Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks
| Classification | Magnitude | When | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreshock | M 3.0 |
3 days earlier Nov 18, 2023 03:28AM (Manila Time) | 30 km (19 mi) SW from Main Shock. |
| Foreshock | M 4.2 |
3 days earlier Nov 18, 2023 05:15AM (Manila Time) | 23 km (15 mi) SW from Main Shock. |
| Foreshock | M 3.8 |
3 days earlier Nov 18, 2023 10:31AM (Manila Time) | 22 km (14 mi) SE from Main Shock. |
| Foreshock | M 4.5 |
3 days earlier Nov 18, 2023 12:18PM (Manila Time) | 31 km (19 mi) WSW from Main Shock. |
| Foreshock | M 4.0 |
2 days earlier Nov 18, 2023 04:16PM (Manila Time) | 20 km (12 mi) WSW from Main Shock. |
| Foreshock | M 4.4 |
2 days earlier Nov 18, 2023 07:20PM (Manila Time) | 89 km (55 mi) ENE from Main Shock. |
| Foreshock | M 4.5 |
2 days earlier Nov 19, 2023 04:05AM (Manila Time) | 10 km (6 mi) WSW from Main Shock. |
| Foreshock | M 4.2 |
21 hrs earlier Nov 20, 2023 06:04AM (Manila Time) | 80 km (50 mi) ESE from Main Shock. |
| Main Shock This Earthquake |
M 5.0 |
Nov 21, 2023 03:28AM (Manila Time) | - |
| Aftershock | M 4.4 |
3 hrs later Nov 21, 2023 06:20AM (Manila Time) | 32 km (20 mi) ENE from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 4.0 |
19 hrs later Nov 21, 2023 10:39PM (Manila Time) | 25 km (15 mi) SW from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 3.5 |
23 hrs later Nov 22, 2023 02:12AM (Manila Time) | 29 km (18 mi) SSW from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 4.8 |
2 days later Nov 23, 2023 11:24AM (Manila Time) | 24 km (15 mi) SW from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 3.0 |
3 days later Nov 24, 2023 02:19AM (Manila Time) | 18 km (11 mi) WSW from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 3.9 |
3 days later Nov 24, 2023 02:24AM (Manila Time) | 12 km (7 mi) W from Main Shock. |
More earthquakes coming?
Earthquakes can create aftershocks. These are generally at least 1 magnitude lower than any main shock, and as time passes the chance and strength of aftershocks decreases.
In only six percent of cases, significant earthquakes are followed by a larger main shock, making the current earthquake a foreshock. While the chance of this happening is not so large, it is adviced to maintain cautiousness in the hours and days following a major earthquake.
Read: How to Stay Safe during an Earthquake (cdc.gov).Earthquakes like this happen often in the region
Earthquakes of this strength are very common in the region. This is the strongest earthquake to hit since November 17th, 2023, when a 6.7 magnitude earthquake hit 24 km (15 mi) further west-southwest. An even stronger magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck on August 11th, 2021.
In total, 304 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5 or higher have been registered within 300km (186 mi) of this epicenter in the past 10 years. This comes down to an average of once every 12 days.
Low tsunami risk
Based on early data it appears this earthquake was not strong enough (lower than MAG-6.5) to be likely to cause destructive tsunami's. However this earthquake appeared to have hit at a shallow depth under sea, so stay cautious and monitor advice from local authorities.
Tsunami Risk Factors
| Factor | Under Sea? | MAG-6.5 or stronger? | Shallow depth? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explanation | Almost all tsunami's are caused by earthquakes with their epicenter under sea or very near the sea. However stay cautious in coastal areas as earthquakes on land may cause landslides into sea, potentially still causing a local tsunami. | Under MAG 6.5: Very unlikely to cause a tsunami. MAG 6.5 to 7.5: Destructive tsunami's do occur, but are uncommon. Likely to observe small sea level changes. MAG 7.6+: Earthquakes with these magnitudes might produce destructive tsunami's. |
Most destructive tsunami's are caused by shallow earthquakes with a depth between 0 and 100km under the surface of the earth. Deeper tsunami's are unlikely to displace to ocean floor. |
| This Earthquake | This earthquake appears to have struck under the sea. | Not this earthquake. This earthquake had a magnitude of 5. Earthquakes of this strength are unlikely to trigger a tsunami. |
This earthquake occurred at a depth of of 87 km (54 mi). Earthquakes this shallow could trigger a tsunami. |
Sources
Last updated 02/12/23 19:58 (). This article contains currently available information about the earthquake and is automatically composed. We continue to update this article up to a few days after the earthquake occurred.
- US Geographic Society (USGS): Earthquake us6000lpna
- European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20231120_0000174
- Geonames.org: World Cities Database
- Google Maps: Static API
- Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database
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