Unusually powerful M7.1 Earthquake struck on Thursday Morning in the Sulawesi Sea 188km from Malingao (The Philippines).

Written by Earthquakelist.org on July 11th, 2024. Last updated September 7th, 2024.

In the Sulawesi Sea 188 kilometer from Malingao, The Philippines, an unusually powerful Magnitude 7.1 earthquake occurred in the morning of Thursday July 11th, 2024. The USGS has indicated there is a potential risk at tsunami's following this earthquake.

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Earthquake Summary

This earthquake hit under water in the Sulawesi Sea, 106 kilometers (66 mi) off the coast of The Philippines, 188 kilometer southwest of Malingao in Soccsksargen. The center of this earthquake had a very deep depth of 628 km. Deep earthquakes usually have less impact than shallower earthquakes of similar strenght.

Date and Time:	Jul 11, 2024 10:13AM (Manila Time) - Jul 11, 2024 02:13 Universal Time.
Location:	188 km SW of Malingao, Soccsksargen, The Philippines. Coordinates 6°5'23"N 123°9'17"E.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 7.1 Detected by 6 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.055 .
Depth:	628 km (390 mi) A very deep depth.
Max. Intensity:	IV Light On the Modified Mercalli Scale.
Tsunami Risk:	Potential tsunami risk The USGS has indicated there is a potential risk at tsunami's following this earthquake. Always stay cautious - More info here.

Potential tsunami risk

There is a potential tsunami risk in the aftermath of this earthquake, immediately evacuate to higher grounds away from coastal areas and monitor advice from local authorities. The US Geographic Survey organization has indicated a potential risk for tsunami's following this earthquake.

Tsunami Risk Factors

Minimal impact predicted

Based on scientific estimates by the US Geographic Survey (USGS), the risk of high fatalities for this earthquake is classified at level GREEN (low). They expect an 65% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 fatalities, and a 96% chance that the number of fatalities falls no higher than 10.

The USGS classifies the economic impact of this earthquake at level GREEN (low). They expect an 65% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 million US Dollars in economic damage and impact, and a 96% chance that the economic impact of this earthquake falls no higher than 10 million USD.

Roughly 9 million people exposed to shaking

The USGS has published a report estimating the number of people exposed to this earthquake. Acoording to their analysis, roughly 9 million have been exposed to shaking at an MMI level of II or higher.

An estimated 2,151,000 people were exposed to level IV. At this level, light shaking and likely no damage can be expected. Intensity level III was experienced by the majority of people (around 6.6 million). In their region, weak shaking and probably no damage can be expected. All exposure to shaking was within the borders of The Philippines .

Nearby towns and cities

This earthquake may have been felt in The Philippines . Located 148 kilometer (92 mi) east-southeast of the epicenter of this earthquake, City of Isabela (Rehiyong Autonomo sa Muslim na Mindanao, The Philippines) is the nearest significant population center. The intensity of shaking and damage in City of Isabela is estimated to be around level III on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (weak shaking, probably no damage).

Major cities near this earthquake: Budta is located 188 km to the north-east and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage). Malingao is located 188 km to the north-east and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage). Davao is located 293 km to the east-northeast (intensity unknown, possibly low).

An overview of nearby towns and cities is available in the overview below. If places don't have intensity data available, it likely means the experienced impact in those places was fairly small.

Overview of nearby places

Earthquake Intensity Map

The intensity in shaking and damage by this earthquake is illustrated through the map below. The highest intensity measured for this earthquake is IV.

I Not felt

II Weak

III Weak

IV Light

V Moderate

VI Strong

VII Very Strong

VIII Severe

IX Violent

X Extreme

Shaking reported by 27 people in 4 countries

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 27 people have reported shaking in 18 places in 4 countries (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, 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:

• Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei-Muara, Brunei: 4 people.
• Buayan, Southern Mindanao, Philippines: 3 people.
• Salimbao, Muslim Mindanao, Philippines: 2 people.
• Labuan, Labuan, Malaysia: 2 people.
• Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia: 2 people.
• Barra, Northern Mindanao, Philippines: 2 people.
• Bacungan, Western Mindanao, Philippines: 1 person.
• Koronadal, Southern Mindanao, Philippines: 1 person.
• Katangawan, Southern Mindanao, Philippines: 1 person.
• Canocotan, Southern Mindanao, Philippines: 1 person.

Aftershocks detected

Since this main shock, 1 smaller aftershock was detected. A 3.9 magnitude earthquake hit 18 hrs later 25 km (15 mi) east-southeast of this earthquake.

Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks

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.

This is the strongest earthquake in 8 years

Earthquakes of this strength are not so common in the region, but it's not the first time. This is the strongest earthquake to hit since January 10th, 2017, when a 7.3 magnitude earthquake hit 189 km (117 mi) further south-southwest. That was also the heaviest earthquake to hit the region in the past 10 years.

In total, 1 earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 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 10 years.

Sources

Last updated 07/09/24 08:38 (). 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.

1. US Geographic Society (USGS): Earthquake us7000myfa
2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20240711_0000027
3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
4. Google Maps: Static API
5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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