A significant Magnitude 5.1 earthquake struck in the Philippine Sea 66 kilometer from Mati, The Philippines in the late afternoon of Sunday January 5th, 2025.
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Earthquake Summary
This earthquake hit under water in the Philippine Sea, 41 kilometers (25 mi) off the coast of The Philippines, 66 kilometer south-east of Mati in Davao. The center of this earthquake had an intermediate depth of 134 km.
| Date and Time: | Jan 5, 2025 05:16PM (Manila Time) - Jan 5, 2025 09:16 Universal Time. |
|---|---|
| Location: | 66 km SE of Mati, Davao, The Philippines. Coordinates 6°28'52"N 126°34'55"E. |
| Map: |  Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps. |
| Magnitude: | MAG 5.1 Detected by 23 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.065 . |
| Depth: | 134 km (83 mi) An intermediate depth. |
| Tsunami Risk: | Tsunami very unlikely Earthquakes under MAG-6.5 at depths deeper than 100km are very unlikely to 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 Mati in Davao, The Philippines. Mati is located 66 kilometer (41 mi) south-east of the epicenter.
Major cities near this earthquake: Davao is located 126 km to the west-northwest. Budta is located 250 km to the west-northwest. Malingao is located 245 km to the west-northwest.
An overview of nearby towns and cities is available in the overview below.
Overview of nearby places
| Distance | Place |
|---|---|
| 66 km (41 mi) NW from epicenter |
Mati Davao, The Philippines. |
| 78 km (48 mi) NW from epicenter |
Lupon Davao, The Philippines. |
| 82 km (51 mi) N from epicenter |
Manay Davao, The Philippines. |
| 107 km (66 mi) W from epicenter |
Malita Davao, The Philippines. |
| 117 km (73 mi) NW from epicenter |
Samal Davao, The Philippines. |
| 123 km (76 mi) W from epicenter |
Santa Maria Davao, The Philippines. |
| 126 km (78 mi) WNW from epicenter |
Davao Davao, The Philippines. |
| 130 km (81 mi) NNW from epicenter |
San Mariano Davao, The Philippines. |
| 135 km (84 mi) NW from epicenter |
Panabo Davao, The Philippines. |
| 138 km (86 mi) NW from epicenter |
Magugpo Poblacion Davao, The Philippines. |
| 139 km (86 mi) WNW from epicenter |
Digos Davao, The Philippines. |
| 139 km (86 mi) NW from epicenter |
Cabayangan Davao, The Philippines. |
| 143 km (89 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Compostela Davao, The Philippines. |
| 143 km (89 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Nabunturan Davao, The Philippines. |
| 145 km (90 mi) W from epicenter |
Maluñgun Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 149 km (93 mi) WSW from epicenter |
Alabel Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 149 km (93 mi) NW from epicenter |
New Corella Davao, The Philippines. |
| 154 km (96 mi) WSW from epicenter |
Malapatan Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 155 km (96 mi) WNW from epicenter |
Bansalan Davao, The Philippines. |
| 158 km (98 mi) W from epicenter |
Magsaysay Davao, The Philippines. |
| 159 km (99 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Monkayo Davao, The Philippines. |
| 161 km (100 mi) WSW from epicenter |
General Santos Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 169 km (105 mi) WSW from epicenter |
Glan Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 170 km (106 mi) W from epicenter |
Polomolok Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 175 km (109 mi) WNW from epicenter |
Kidapawan Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 181 km (112 mi) W from epicenter |
Tupi Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 183 km (114 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Trento Caraga, The Philippines. |
| 190 km (118 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Veruela Caraga, The Philippines. |
| 192 km (119 mi) W from epicenter |
Koronadal Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 195 km (121 mi) N from epicenter |
Bislig Caraga, The Philippines. |
| 198 km (123 mi) W from epicenter |
Buluan Rehiyong Autonomo sa Muslim na Mindanao, The Philippines. |
| 199 km (124 mi) W from epicenter |
Bañga Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 199 km (124 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Bunawan Caraga, The Philippines. |
| 203 km (126 mi) W from epicenter |
Surallah Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 206 km (128 mi) WNW from epicenter |
Kabacan Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 209 km (130 mi) W from epicenter |
Lake Sebu Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 212 km (132 mi) W from epicenter |
Tacurong Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 215 km (134 mi) NW from epicenter |
Quezon Northern Mindanao, The Philippines. |
| 219 km (136 mi) W from epicenter |
Isulan Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 225 km (140 mi) NW from epicenter |
Maramag Northern Mindanao, The Philippines. |
| 228 km (142 mi) NW from epicenter |
NIA Valencia Northern Mindanao, The Philippines. |
| 240 km (149 mi) WNW from epicenter |
Midsayap Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 245 km (152 mi) WNW from epicenter |
Malingao Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 246 km (153 mi) NW from epicenter |
Malaybalay Northern Mindanao, The Philippines. |
| 250 km (155 mi) WNW from epicenter |
Budta Rehiyong Autonomo sa Muslim na Mindanao, The Philippines. |
| 254 km (158 mi) WNW from epicenter |
Pagaluñgan Rehiyong Autonomo sa Muslim na Mindanao, The Philippines. |
| 268 km (167 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Bayugan Caraga, The Philippines. |
| 271 km (168 mi) WNW from epicenter |
Cotabato Rehiyong Autonomo sa Muslim na Mindanao, The Philippines. |
| 274 km (170 mi) WNW from epicenter |
Parang Rehiyong Autonomo sa Muslim na Mindanao, The Philippines. |
| 297 km (185 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Butuan Caraga, The Philippines. |
| 299 km (186 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Libertad Caraga, The Philippines. |
Shaking reported by 3 people
People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 3 people have reported shaking in 3 places, all within 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:
- Davao, Southern Mindanao, Philippines: 1 person.
- Katangawan, Southern Mindanao, Philippines: 1 person.
- Tagum, Southern Mindanao, Philippines: 1 person.
Aftershocks detected
After this earthquake struck, 1 smaller aftershock occurred. At a distance of 82 km (51 mi) south-southwest of this earthquake, an aftershock struck 3 days later. It measured a magnitude of 3.1
Before this earthquake struck, 2 smaller foreshocks occurred. Nearby this earthquake a foreshock struck 2 days earlier. It measured a magnitude of 3.3
Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks
| Classification | Magnitude | When | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreshock | M 3.3 |
2 days earlier Jan 3, 2025 08:20PM (Manila Time) | 57 km (36 mi) E from Main Shock. |
| Foreshock | M 3.0 |
22 hrs earlier Jan 4, 2025 07:30PM (Manila Time) | 78 km (49 mi) SW from Main Shock. |
| Main Shock This Earthquake |
M 5.1 |
Jan 5, 2025 05:16PM (Manila Time) | - |
| Aftershock | M 3.1 |
3 days later Jan 8, 2025 05:51AM (Manila Time) | 82 km (51 mi) SSW 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 26th, 2024, when a 5.2 magnitude earthquake hit 227 km (141 mi) further north-northwest. An even stronger magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck on December 2nd, 2023.
In total, 244 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 15 days.
Tsunami very unlikely
For a serious tsunami to occur, earthquakes usually need to have a magnitude of at least 6.5 and occur at a shallow depth of maximum 100km. Neither are the case with this earthquake. However always 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. |
Not this earthquake. This earthquake occurred at a depth of 134 km (83 mi). Earthquakes this deep in the earth are unlikely to trigger a tsunami. |
Sources
Last updated 08/01/25 00:58 (). As more information on this earthquake becomes available this article will be updated. This article is automatically composed based on data originating from multiple sources.
- US Geographic Society (USGS): Earthquake us6000phz2
- European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20250105_0000089
- Geonames.org: World Cities Database
- Google Maps: Static API
- Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database
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