A shallow and significant Magnitude 5.1 earthquake struck in the South China Sea 83 kilometer from Vigan, The Philippines in the morning of Thursday December 19th, 2024.
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Earthquake Summary
This earthquake hit under water in the South China Sea, 82 kilometers (51 mi) off the coast of The Philippines, 83 kilometer west of Vigan in Ilocos. The center of this earthquake had a very shallow depth of 10 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.
| Date and Time: | Dec 19, 2024 09:09AM (Manila Time) - Dec 19, 2024 01:09 Universal Time. |
|---|---|
| Location: | 83 km west of Vigan, Ilocos, The Philippines. Coordinates 17°39'39"N 119°36'17"E. |
| Map: |  Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps. |
| Magnitude: | MAG 5.1 Detected by 105 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.056 . |
| Depth: | 10 km (6 mi) A very shallow 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 . Located 83 kilometer (52 mi) west of the epicenter of this earthquake, Vigan (Ilocos, The Philippines) is the nearest significant population center.
Multiple major population centers exist within 300km of the earthquake that struck today. Baguio is located 174 km to the south-east. Cabanatuan City is located 282 km to the south-southeast. Santol is located 296 km to the south-southeast.
A complete list of nearby places is included below.
Overview of nearby places
| Distance | Place |
|---|---|
| 83 km (52 mi) E from epicenter |
Vigan Ilocos, The Philippines. |
| 111 km (69 mi) ENE from epicenter |
Batac City Ilocos, The Philippines. |
| 119 km (74 mi) ENE from epicenter |
San Nicolas Ilocos, The Philippines. |
| 119 km (74 mi) SE from epicenter |
Santa Maria Ilocos, The Philippines. |
| 120 km (75 mi) SE from epicenter |
Tagudin Ilocos, The Philippines. |
| 121 km (75 mi) ENE from epicenter |
Laoag Ilocos, The Philippines. |
| 139 km (86 mi) SE from epicenter |
San Fernando Ilocos, The Philippines. |
| 148 km (92 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Bauang Ilocos, The Philippines. |
| 153 km (95 mi) SE from epicenter |
Mankayan Cordillera, The Philippines. |
| 162 km (101 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Aringay Ilocos, The Philippines. |
| 170 km (106 mi) SE from epicenter |
La Trinidad Cordillera, The Philippines. |
| 174 km (108 mi) SE from epicenter |
Baguio Cordillera, The Philippines. |
| 183 km (114 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Agoo Ilocos, The Philippines. |
| 184 km (114 mi) SE from epicenter |
Itogon Cordillera, The Philippines. |
| 194 km (121 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Lingayen Ilocos, The Philippines. |
| 194 km (121 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Binmaley Ilocos, The Philippines. |
| 195 km (121 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Domalanoan Ilocos, The Philippines. |
| 196 km (122 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Dagupan Ilocos, The Philippines. |
| 196 km (122 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Mangaldan Ilocos, The Philippines. |
| 199 km (124 mi) E from epicenter |
Tabuk Cordillera, The Philippines. |
| 200 km (124 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Calasiao Ilocos, The Philippines. |
| 203 km (126 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Manaoag Ilocos, The Philippines. |
| 210 km (130 mi) SE from epicenter |
Bayombong Cagayan Valley, The Philippines. |
| 210 km (130 mi) SE from epicenter |
Solano Cagayan Valley, The Philippines. |
| 212 km (132 mi) SE from epicenter |
Baggabag B Cagayan Valley, The Philippines. |
| 213 km (132 mi) SE from epicenter |
Bambang Cagayan Valley, The Philippines. |
| 213 km (132 mi) S from epicenter |
Santa Cruz Central Luzon, The Philippines. |
| 214 km (133 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Urdaneta Ilocos, The Philippines. |
| 221 km (137 mi) E from epicenter |
Solana Cagayan Valley, The Philippines. |
| 225 km (140 mi) E from epicenter |
Tuguegarao Cagayan Valley, The Philippines. |
| 227 km (141 mi) ESE from epicenter |
Ramon Cagayan Valley, The Philippines. |
| 229 km (142 mi) ENE from epicenter |
Aparri Cagayan Valley, The Philippines. |
| 233 km (145 mi) ESE from epicenter |
Santiago Cagayan Valley, The Philippines. |
| 236 km (147 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Camiling Central Luzon, The Philippines. |
| 238 km (148 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Burgos Central Luzon, The Philippines. |
| 245 km (152 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Paniqui Central Luzon, The Philippines. |
| 249 km (155 mi) ESE from epicenter |
Ilagan Cagayan Valley, The Philippines. |
| 252 km (157 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Gerona Central Luzon, The Philippines. |
| 255 km (158 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Guimba Central Luzon, The Philippines. |
| 257 km (160 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Muñoz Central Luzon, The Philippines. |
| 265 km (165 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Tarlac City Central Luzon, The Philippines. |
| 270 km (168 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Talavera Central Luzon, The Philippines. |
| 280 km (174 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Capas Central Luzon, The Philippines. |
| 282 km (175 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Cabanatuan City Central Luzon, The Philippines. |
| 283 km (176 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Concepcion Central Luzon, The Philippines. |
| 290 km (180 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Mabalacat City Central Luzon, The Philippines. |
| 294 km (183 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Magalang Central Luzon, The Philippines. |
| 296 km (184 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Santol Central Luzon, The Philippines. |
| 298 km (185 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Gapan Central Luzon, The Philippines. |
| 298 km (185 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Angeles City Central Luzon, The Philippines. |
| 300 km (186 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Cabiao Central Luzon, The Philippines. |
Shaking reported by 1 person
People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 1 person has reported shaking in one place 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:
- Puro, Ilocos, Philippines: 1 person.
21 Aftershocks detected
This main shock was followed by 21 smaller aftershocks. Just 6 hrs after this main shock, an earthquake measuring MAG-5.1 was detected 13 km (8 mi) west-southwest of this earthquake.
In the days before this main shock, 15 smaller foreshocks were detected. Roughly 6 hrs before this earthquake, a foreshock measuring MAG-4.7 was detected nearby this earthquake.
Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks
| Classification | Magnitude | When | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreshock | M 3.9 |
2 days earlier Dec 17, 2024 05:13PM (Manila Time) | 39 km (24 mi) WNW from Main Shock. |
| Foreshock | M 3.8 |
2 days earlier Dec 17, 2024 08:00PM (Manila Time) | 19 km (11 mi) NNE from Main Shock. |
| Foreshock | M 3.1 |
2 days earlier Dec 17, 2024 09:02PM (Manila Time) | 16 km (10 mi) NNW from Main Shock. |
| Foreshock | M 3.4 |
12 hrs earlier Dec 18, 2024 09:07PM (Manila Time) | 23 km (14 mi) NW from Main Shock. |
| Foreshock | M 3.6 |
12 hrs earlier Dec 18, 2024 09:23PM (Manila Time) | 34 km (21 mi) WNW from Main Shock. |
| Foreshock | M 4.0 |
9 hrs earlier Dec 19, 2024 12:02AM (Manila Time) | 30 km (18 mi) WNW from Main Shock. |
| Foreshock | M 3.3 |
8 hrs earlier Dec 19, 2024 12:47AM (Manila Time) | 18 km (11 mi) WSW from Main Shock. |
| Foreshock | M 3.9 |
7 hrs earlier Dec 19, 2024 01:59AM (Manila Time) | 26 km (16 mi) W from Main Shock. |
| Foreshock | M 3.9 |
7 hrs earlier Dec 19, 2024 02:15AM (Manila Time) | 41 km (25 mi) WNW from Main Shock. |
| Foreshock | M 3.7 |
7 hrs earlier Dec 19, 2024 02:35AM (Manila Time) | 21 km (13 mi) W from Main Shock. |
| Foreshock | M 3.0 |
6 hrs earlier Dec 19, 2024 03:02AM (Manila Time) | 36 km (23 mi) WNW from Main Shock. |
| Foreshock | M 4.7 |
6 hrs earlier Dec 19, 2024 03:04AM (Manila Time) | 14 km (9 mi) WSW from Main Shock. |
| Foreshock | M 3.3 |
4 hrs earlier Dec 19, 2024 05:00AM (Manila Time) | 8 km (5 mi) WSW from Main Shock. |
| Foreshock | M 3.3 |
3 hrs earlier Dec 19, 2024 05:59AM (Manila Time) | 13 km (8 mi) SW from Main Shock. |
| Foreshock | M 3.8 |
2 hrs earlier Dec 19, 2024 07:04AM (Manila Time) | 32 km (20 mi) W from Main Shock. |
| Main Shock This Earthquake |
M 5.1 |
Dec 19, 2024 09:09AM (Manila Time) | - |
| Aftershock | M 4.6 |
1 hr later Dec 19, 2024 10:12AM (Manila Time) | 26 km (16 mi) WNW from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 3.3 |
2 hrs later Dec 19, 2024 11:23AM (Manila Time) | 57 km (35 mi) SW from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 4.2 |
3 hrs later Dec 19, 2024 11:43AM (Manila Time) | 1.1 km (0.7 mi) NNW from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 5.1 |
6 hrs later Dec 19, 2024 02:42PM (Manila Time) | 13 km (8 mi) WSW from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 5.0 |
6 hrs later Dec 19, 2024 02:55PM (Manila Time) | 6 km (4 mi) NW from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 4.3 |
6 hrs later Dec 19, 2024 02:59PM (Manila Time) | 30 km (19 mi) WNW from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 3.4 |
10 hrs later Dec 19, 2024 07:24PM (Manila Time) | 22 km (14 mi) NW from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 3.7 |
12 hrs later Dec 19, 2024 08:51PM (Manila Time) | 23 km (14 mi) W from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 3.0 |
13 hrs later Dec 19, 2024 10:37PM (Manila Time) | 15 km (10 mi) W from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 4.1 |
15 hrs later Dec 19, 2024 11:40PM (Manila Time) | 55 km (34 mi) NW from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 3.3 |
15 hrs later Dec 19, 2024 11:46PM (Manila Time) | 30 km (18 mi) W from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 3.8 |
15 hrs later Dec 20, 2024 12:02AM (Manila Time) | 44 km (27 mi) WNW from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 3.4 |
16 hrs later Dec 20, 2024 12:43AM (Manila Time) | 30 km (18 mi) W from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 4.2 |
18 hrs later Dec 20, 2024 02:48AM (Manila Time) | 48 km (30 mi) WNW from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 3.4 |
18 hrs later Dec 20, 2024 02:51AM (Manila Time) | 16 km (10 mi) WNW from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 3.0 |
1 day later Dec 20, 2024 09:48AM (Manila Time) | 1.3 km (0.8 mi) SSE from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 3.1 |
2 days later Dec 21, 2024 02:58AM (Manila Time) | 25 km (15 mi) NNW from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 3.8 |
2 days later Dec 21, 2024 07:05AM (Manila Time) | 19 km (12 mi) WNW from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 3.0 |
2 days later Dec 21, 2024 07:16AM (Manila Time) | 31 km (19 mi) W from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 4.9 |
2 days later Dec 21, 2024 07:53AM (Manila Time) | 19 km (12 mi) SSW from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 3.5 |
2 days later Dec 21, 2024 12:39PM (Manila Time) | 10 km (6 mi) W from Main Shock. |
More earthquakes coming?
The risk of aftershocks decreases rapidly over time. Usually, aftershocks are at least one order of magnitude lower than a main shock.
The chance that a significant earthquake like this one is followed by an even larger earthquake is not so large. On average, scientists estimate a 94% chance that a major earthquake will not be followed by an even larger one. It is still adviced to be aware of this risk
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 December 3rd, 2024, when a 5.7 magnitude earthquake hit 157 km (97 mi) further north-east. An even stronger magnitude 7 earthquake struck on July 27th, 2022.
In total, 41 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.1 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 3 months.
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 5.1. Earthquakes of this strength are unlikely to trigger a tsunami. |
This earthquake occurred at a depth of of 10 km (6 mi). Earthquakes this shallow could trigger a tsunami. |
Sources
Last updated 21/12/24 14:28 (). This article is automatically generated based on available data. We keep checking multiple sources for additional information. This article gets updated as new details on this earthquake become available.
- US Geographic Society (USGS): Earthquake us7000nzxl
- European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20241219_0000015
- Geonames.org: World Cities Database
- Google Maps: Static API
- Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database
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