On Monday Evening a Significant M5.4 Earthquake struck near Nasugbu in The Philippines.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on January 20th, 2025.

In the evening of Monday January 20th, 2025, a significant M5.4 earthquake hit under land 11 kilometer from Nasugbu in The Philippines. The earthquake struck near a very densely populated region. Around 48 million people have been exposed to shaking.

Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in The Philippines, 11 kilometer (7 mi) south of Nasugbu in Calabarzon. The center of this earthquake had an intermediate depth of 136 km.

Date and Time:	Jan 20, 2025 06:43PM (Manila Time) - Jan 20, 2025 10:43 Universal Time.
Location:	11 km south of Nasugbu, Calabarzon, The Philippines. Coordinates 13°58'18"N 120°38'37"E.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 5.4 Detected by 52 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.043 .
Depth:	136 km (85 mi) An intermediate depth.
Max. Intensity:	IV Light On the Modified Mercalli Scale.
Tsunami Risk:	Tsunami very unlikely Tsunami's are usually caused by MAG-6.5+ earthquakes, less than 100km shallow, and with an epicenter under sea. Neither of this seems to be the case. 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.

Roughly 48 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 48 million have been exposed to shaking at an MMI level of II or higher.

The highest earthquake impact level for this earthquake is IV, which corresponds with light shaking and likely no damage. Roughly 19,670,000 people are expected to be exposed to this level. Intensity level III was experienced by the majority of people (around 28 million). In their region, weak shaking and probably no damage can be expected. All exposure to shaking was within the borders of The Philippines .

People	MMI Level	Shaking	Damage
0	I	Not noticable	None
208,600	II	Very weak	None
28,050,000	III	Weak	Probably none
19,670,000	IV	Light	Likely none
0	V	Moderate	Very light
0	VI	Strong	Light
0	VII	Very Strong	Moderate
0	VIII	Severe	Moderate to heavy
0	IX	Violent	Heavy
0	X	Extreme	Very heavy

Nearby towns and cities

This earthquake may have been felt in The Philippines . The closest significant population center near the earthquake is Balayan in Calabarzon, The Philippines. Balayan is located 10 kilometer (6 mi) west-northwest of the epicenter. The intensity of shaking and damage in Balayan is estimated to be around level III on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (weak shaking, probably no damage).

Multiple major population centers exist within 300km of the earthquake that struck today. Quezon City is located 87 km to the north-northeast and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage). Manila is located 79 km to the north-northeast and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage). Caloocan City is located 83 km to the north-northeast and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage).

The table below provides an overview of all places in proximity of today's earthquake. Where available, the estimated intensity on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale in each place is included. Places where this information is omitted likely experienced little impact.

Overview of nearby places

Cities and Towns around the epicenter of this earthquake.
Distance	Place	Intensity (MMI)
10 km (6 mi) ESE from epicenter	Balayan Calabarzon, The Philippines.	III Weak
11 km (7 mi) N from epicenter	Nasugbu Calabarzon, The Philippines.	IV Light
16 km (10 mi) S from epicenter	Calatagan Calabarzon, The Philippines.	IV Light
19 km (12 mi) ESE from epicenter	Calaca Calabarzon, The Philippines.	IV Light
32 km (20 mi) ESE from epicenter	Taal Calabarzon, The Philippines.	III Weak
33 km (21 mi) ENE from epicenter	Mendez-Nuñez Calabarzon, The Philippines.	III Weak
34 km (21 mi) ENE from epicenter	Tagaytay Calabarzon, The Philippines.	III Weak
35 km (22 mi) NNE from epicenter	Maragondon Calabarzon, The Philippines.	IV Light
35 km (22 mi) NE from epicenter	Indang Calabarzon, The Philippines.	III Weak
38 km (24 mi) ENE from epicenter	Patuto Calabarzon, The Philippines.	III Weak
41 km (25 mi) NNE from epicenter	Naic Calabarzon, The Philippines.	IV Light
44 km (27 mi) ESE from epicenter	Bauan Calabarzon, The Philippines.	IV Light
45 km (28 mi) ESE from epicenter	San Pascual Calabarzon, The Philippines.	III Weak
45 km (28 mi) NE from epicenter	Silang Calabarzon, The Philippines.	IV Light
51 km (32 mi) ESE from epicenter	Batangas Calabarzon, The Philippines.	IV Light
51 km (32 mi) NE from epicenter	Dasmariñas Calabarzon, The Philippines.	IV Light
53 km (33 mi) NNE from epicenter	General Trias Calabarzon, The Philippines.	IV Light
54 km (34 mi) NNW from epicenter	Mariveles Central Luzon, The Philippines.	III Weak
56 km (35 mi) E from epicenter	Lipa City Calabarzon, The Philippines.	IV Light
56 km (35 mi) ENE from epicenter	Tanauan Calabarzon, The Philippines.	IV Light
56 km (35 mi) ENE from epicenter	Santo Tomas Calabarzon, The Philippines.	IV Light
57 km (35 mi) NE from epicenter	Pulong Santa Cruz Calabarzon, The Philippines.	IV Light
59 km (37 mi) NNE from epicenter	Kawit Calabarzon, The Philippines.	IV Light
59 km (37 mi) NE from epicenter	Carmona Calabarzon, The Philippines.	IV Light
60 km (37 mi) NNE from epicenter	Imus Calabarzon, The Philippines.	IV Light
61 km (38 mi) NE from epicenter	San Pedro Calabarzon, The Philippines.	IV Light
62 km (39 mi) ENE from epicenter	Cabuyao Calabarzon, The Philippines.	IV Light
62 km (39 mi) ENE from epicenter	Calamba Calabarzon, The Philippines.	IV Light
63 km (39 mi) NE from epicenter	Santa Rosa Calabarzon, The Philippines.	IV Light
63 km (39 mi) NE from epicenter	Biñan Calabarzon, The Philippines.	IV Light
63 km (39 mi) NNE from epicenter	Cavite City Calabarzon, The Philippines.	IV Light
63 km (39 mi) NNE from epicenter	Bacoor Calabarzon, The Philippines.	IV Light
65 km (40 mi) NE from epicenter	Las Piñas National Capital Region, The Philippines.	IV Light
68 km (42 mi) ENE from epicenter	Los Baños Calabarzon, The Philippines.	III Weak
74 km (46 mi) E from epicenter	San Pablo Calabarzon, The Philippines.	IV Light
74 km (46 mi) NNE from epicenter	Pasay National Capital Region, The Philippines.	IV Light
77 km (48 mi) NE from epicenter	Taguig National Capital Region, The Philippines.	IV Light
77 km (48 mi) NNE from epicenter	Makati City National Capital Region, The Philippines.	IV Light
79 km (49 mi) NNE from epicenter	Manila National Capital Region, The Philippines.	IV Light
80 km (50 mi) NNE from epicenter	Mandaluyong City National Capital Region, The Philippines.	III Weak
81 km (50 mi) NE from epicenter	Binangonan Calabarzon, The Philippines.	III Weak
82 km (51 mi) NNE from epicenter	San Juan National Capital Region, The Philippines.	IV Light
82 km (51 mi) NNE from epicenter	Pasig City National Capital Region, The Philippines.	IV Light
83 km (52 mi) NNE from epicenter	Caloocan City National Capital Region, The Philippines.	IV Light
84 km (52 mi) NE from epicenter	Taytay Calabarzon, The Philippines.	IV Light
84 km (52 mi) NNE from epicenter	Navotas National Capital Region, The Philippines.	IV Light
85 km (53 mi) NE from epicenter	Cainta Calabarzon, The Philippines.	IV Light
85 km (53 mi) SE from epicenter	Calapan Mimaropa, The Philippines.	III Weak
87 km (54 mi) NNE from epicenter	Quezon City National Capital Region, The Philippines.	IV Light
89 km (55 mi) NE from epicenter	Antipolo Calabarzon, The Philippines.	III Weak
92 km (57 mi) NNE from epicenter	Meycauayan Central Luzon, The Philippines.	IV Light
99 km (62 mi) N from epicenter	Malolos Central Luzon, The Philippines.	IV Light
233 km (145 mi) N from epicenter	Dagupan Ilocos, The Philippines.
272 km (169 mi) N from epicenter	Baguio Cordillera, The Philippines.
277 km (172 mi) E from epicenter	Naga Bicol, The Philippines.
284 km (176 mi) N from epicenter	Bayombong Cagayan Valley, The Philippines.
294 km (183 mi) SSE from epicenter	Pandan Western Visayas, The Philippines.

Earthquake Intensity Map

The maximum intensity (MMI Scale) caused by this earthquake is IV. The map below shows in which areas this earthquake was the most and least impactful. It is based on data from the US Geographic Survey.

I Not felt

II Weak

III Weak

IV Light

V Moderate

VI Strong

VII Very Strong

VIII Severe

IX Violent

X Extreme

Earthquake Intensity Map based on Shakemap Data provided by USGS.

Shaking reported by 11 people

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 11 people have reported shaking in 8 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:

Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines: 3 people.
Malanday, Southern Tagalog, Philippines: 2 people.
Mariveles, Central Luzon, Philippines: 1 person.
Masantol, Central Luzon, Philippines: 1 person.
San Marcelino, Central Luzon, Philippines: 1 person.
Subic, Central Luzon, Philippines: 1 person.
Imus, Southern Tagalog, Philippines: 1 person.
San Pedro (San Pedro, Laguna), Southern Tagalog, Philippines: 1 person.

Risk of aftershocks?

We monitor for foreshocks or aftershocks that have a magnitude of 2.5+ and occur within 100km (62 mi) of the epicenter of this earthquake. So far no such earthquakes have been detected.

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.

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.

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 27th, 2024, when a 5.7 magnitude earthquake hit 166 km (103 mi) further north. An even stronger magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck on July 23rd, 2021.

In total, 31 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 4 months.

Tsunami very unlikely

DISCLAIMER: We strongly suggest to closely monitor advice from local authorities with regards to tsunami risks. Our analysis is based on automatically collected data from external sources, and these might contain mistakes. In addition, earthquakes can cause landslides that may lead to a tsunami, or be a followed by another, potentially stonger, earthquake.

It is very unlikely that this eartquake will cause any tsunami's. The reported magnitude is lower than the MAG-6.5 strength required to cause any earthquakes. In addition, this earthquake was not very shallow and appears to have occurred under land. 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 on land near a coastal area (2 km from the sea).	Not this earthquake. This earthquake had a magnitude of 5.4. Earthquakes of this strength are unlikely to trigger a tsunami.	Not this earthquake. This earthquake occurred at a depth of 136 km (85 mi). Earthquakes this deep in the earth are unlikely to trigger a tsunami.

Sources

Last updated 20/01/25 21:38 (). 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.