On Monday Morning a Significant M5.4 Earthquake struck in the Sulawesi Sea near Malingao (The Philippines).

Written by Earthquakelist.org on January 13th, 2025. Last updated January 15th, 2025.

In the Sulawesi Sea 97 kilometer from Malingao, The Philippines, a significant Magnitude 5.4 earthquake occurred in the morning of Monday January 13th, 2025. The earthquake struck near a very densely populated region. Such earthquakes in regions like this usually have a minimal impact on people and the economy.

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Earthquake Summary

This earthquake hit under water in the Sulawesi Sea, 26 kilometers (16 mi) off the coast of The Philippines, 97 kilometer southwest of Malingao in Soccsksargen. The center of this earthquake had a deep depth of 540 km.

Date and Time:	Jan 13, 2025 08:19AM (Manila Time) - Jan 13, 2025 00:19 Universal Time.
Location:	97 km SW of Malingao, Soccsksargen, The Philippines. Coordinates 6°36'55"N 123°47'40"E.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 5.4 Detected by 14 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.083 .
Depth:	540 km (336 mi) A deep depth.
Max. Intensity:	II Weak On the Modified Mercalli Scale.
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.

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.

Not many people felt this earthquake

The USGS has published a report estimating the number of people exposed to this earthquake. Acoording to their analysis, roughly 410 thousand have been exposed to shaking at an MMI level of II or higher.

The highest earthquake impact level for this earthquake is II, which corresponds with very weak shaking and no damage. Roughly 413,200 people are expected to be exposed to this level. Intensity level I was experienced by the majority of people (around 18 million). In their region, not noticeable and no damage can be expected.

People in 2 countries have been exposed to shaking. Roughly 410 thousand people were exposed to shaking in The Philippines , with level II (very weak shaking, no damage) as the highest recorded.

Nearby towns and cities

This earthquake may have been felt in The Philippines . The closest significant population center near the earthquake is Maganoy in Rehiyong Autonomo sa Muslim na Mindanao, The Philippines. Maganoy is located 77 kilometer (48 mi) west-southwest of the epicenter. Maganoy experienced an earthquake intensity (MMI Scale) of roughly I. That level implies not noticeable and no damage.

Multiple major population centers exist within 300km of the earthquake that struck today. Budta is located 97 km to the north-east and experienced an intensity of II (very weak shaking, no damage). Malingao is located 97 km to the north-east and experienced an intensity of II (very weak shaking, no damage). Davao is located 207 km to the east-northeast and experienced an intensity of I (not noticeable, no damage).

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 graph below overlays a map of the region around the epicenter with earthquake intensity data provided by the US Geographic Survey. The highest intensity level detected for this earthquake is II.

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 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:

• Buayan, Southern Mindanao, Philippines: 1 person.
• Katangawan, Southern Mindanao, Philippines: 1 person.
• Maitum, Southern Mindanao, Philippines: 1 person.

Aftershocks detected

This main shock was followed by 1 smaller aftershock. At a distance of 19 km (12 mi) southwest of this earthquake, an aftershock struck 6 mins later. It measured a magnitude of 3.8

In the days before this main shock, 1 smaller foreshock was detected. Roughly 14 hrs before this earthquake, a foreshock measuring MAG-3.9 was detected nearby this earthquake.

Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks

More earthquakes coming?

Aftershocks are usually at least 1 order of magnitude less strong than main shocks. The more time passes, the smaller the chance and likely strength of any potential aftershocks.

It's always adviced to be cautious of the risk of a larger shock following any significant earthquake, however this risk is fairly small. There is a roughly 94 percent change that no larger main shock will follow in the days following this earthquake.

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 July 11th, 2024, when a 7.1 magnitude earthquake hit 93 km (57 mi) further southwest. An even stronger magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck on January 10th, 2017.

In total, 60 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.4 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 2 months.

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

Sources

Last updated 15/01/25 10:28 (). 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 us6000pjlq
2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20250113_0000002
3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
4. Google Maps: Static API
5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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