A significant MAG-5.4 earthquake struck in the South China Sea 19 kilometer from Nasugbu, The Philippines in the evening of Monday January 20th, 2025. The earthquake struck near a very densely populated region. Shaking may have been felt by a total of 47 million people.
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Earthquake Summary
This earthquake hit under water in the South China Sea, right off the coast of The Philippines (4 mi offshore), 19 kilometer south-southwest of Nasugbu in Calabarzon. The center of this earthquake had an intermediate depth of 100 km.
Date and Time: | Jan 20, 2025 06:42PM (Manila Time) - Jan 20, 2025 10:42 Universal Time. |
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Location: | 19 km SSW of Nasugbu, Calabarzon, The Philippines. Coordinates 13°54'13"N 120°34'3"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: | 100 km (62 mi) An intermediate depth. |
Max. Intensity: | V
Moderate On the Modified Mercalli Scale. |
Tsunami Risk: | Low tsunami risk Earthquakes under MAG-6.5 do not usually 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.
Roughly 47 million people exposed to shaking
An estimated 47 million have been exposed to shaking (An MMI or Modified Mercalli Intensity level II or higher) as a result of this earthquake according scientific estimates published by the USGS.
Light shaking and likely no damage may have been experienced by an estimated 31,160,000 people. At IV, it is the highest MMI level this earthquake has caused. All exposure to shaking was within the borders of The Philippines .
People | MMI Level | Shaking | Damage |
---|---|---|---|
0 | I |
Not noticable | None |
168,500 | II |
Very weak | None |
15,970,000 | III |
Weak | Probably none |
31,160,000 | 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 Calatagan in Calabarzon, The Philippines. Calatagan is located 11 kilometer (7 mi) northwest of the epicenter. The intensity of shaking and damage in Calatagan is estimated to be around level IV on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (light shaking, likely no damage).
Multiple major population centers exist within 300km of the earthquake that struck today. Quezon City is located 98 km to the north-northeast and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage). Manila is located 90 km to the north-northeast and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage). Caloocan City is located 93 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
Distance | Place | Intensity (MMI) |
---|---|---|
11 km (7 mi) SE from epicenter |
Calatagan Calabarzon, The Philippines. |
IV
Light |
18 km (11 mi) ENE from epicenter |
Balayan Calabarzon, The Philippines. |
IV
Light |
19 km (12 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Nasugbu Calabarzon, The Philippines. |
IV
Light |
27 km (17 mi) E from epicenter |
Calaca Calabarzon, The Philippines. |
IV
Light |
38 km (24 mi) E from epicenter |
Taal Calabarzon, The Philippines. |
IV
Light |
44 km (27 mi) NE from epicenter |
Mendez-Nuñez Calabarzon, The Philippines. |
IV
Light |
45 km (28 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Maragondon Calabarzon, The Philippines. |
IV
Light |
45 km (28 mi) ENE from epicenter |
Tagaytay Calabarzon, The Philippines. |
III
Weak |
47 km (29 mi) NE from epicenter |
Indang Calabarzon, The Philippines. |
IV
Light |
49 km (30 mi) ENE from epicenter |
Patuto Calabarzon, The Philippines. |
III
Weak |
49 km (30 mi) ESE from epicenter |
Bauan Calabarzon, The Philippines. |
IV
Light |
50 km (31 mi) E from epicenter |
San Pascual Calabarzon, The Philippines. |
IV
Light |
51 km (32 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Naic Calabarzon, The Philippines. |
IV
Light |
55 km (34 mi) ESE from epicenter |
Batangas Calabarzon, The Philippines. |
IV
Light |
56 km (35 mi) NE from epicenter |
Silang Calabarzon, The Philippines. |
IV
Light |
60 km (37 mi) N from epicenter |
Mariveles Central Luzon, The Philippines. |
IV
Light |
62 km (39 mi) NE from epicenter |
Dasmariñas Calabarzon, The Philippines. |
IV
Light |
64 km (40 mi) NNE from epicenter |
General Trias Calabarzon, The Philippines. |
IV
Light |
64 km (40 mi) E from epicenter |
Lipa City Calabarzon, The Philippines. |
IV
Light |
66 km (41 mi) ENE from epicenter |
Santo Tomas Calabarzon, The Philippines. |
IV
Light |
66 km (41 mi) ENE from epicenter |
Tanauan Calabarzon, The Philippines. |
IV
Light |
69 km (43 mi) NE from epicenter |
Pulong Santa Cruz Calabarzon, The Philippines. |
IV
Light |
70 km (43 mi) NE from epicenter |
Carmona Calabarzon, The Philippines. |
IV
Light |
70 km (43 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Kawit Calabarzon, The Philippines. |
IV
Light |
71 km (44 mi) NE from epicenter |
Imus Calabarzon, The Philippines. |
IV
Light |
72 km (45 mi) NE from epicenter |
San Pedro Calabarzon, The Philippines. |
IV
Light |
73 km (45 mi) NE from epicenter |
Cabuyao Calabarzon, The Philippines. |
IV
Light |
73 km (45 mi) ENE from epicenter |
Calamba Calabarzon, The Philippines. |
IV
Light |
74 km (46 mi) NE from epicenter |
Santa Rosa Calabarzon, The Philippines. |
IV
Light |
74 km (46 mi) NE from epicenter |
Biñan Calabarzon, The Philippines. |
IV
Light |
74 km (46 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Cavite City Calabarzon, The Philippines. |
IV
Light |
74 km (46 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Bacoor Calabarzon, The Philippines. |
IV
Light |
76 km (47 mi) NE from epicenter |
Las Piñas National Capital Region, The Philippines. |
IV
Light |
79 km (49 mi) ENE from epicenter |
Los Baños Calabarzon, The Philippines. |
IV
Light |
84 km (52 mi) ENE from epicenter |
San Pablo Calabarzon, The Philippines. |
IV
Light |
85 km (53 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Pasay National Capital Region, The Philippines. |
IV
Light |
86 km (53 mi) SE from epicenter |
Calapan Mimaropa, The Philippines. |
IV
Light |
88 km (55 mi) NE from epicenter |
Makati City National Capital Region, The Philippines. |
IV
Light |
88 km (55 mi) NE from epicenter |
Taguig National Capital Region, The Philippines. |
IV
Light |
90 km (56 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Manila National Capital Region, The Philippines. |
IV
Light |
91 km (57 mi) NE from epicenter |
Mandaluyong City National Capital Region, The Philippines. |
IV
Light |
92 km (57 mi) NE from epicenter |
Binangonan Calabarzon, The Philippines. |
III
Weak |
92 km (57 mi) NNE from epicenter |
San Juan National Capital Region, The Philippines. |
IV
Light |
93 km (58 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Caloocan City National Capital Region, The Philippines. |
IV
Light |
93 km (58 mi) NE from epicenter |
Pasig City National Capital Region, The Philippines. |
IV
Light |
94 km (58 mi) NE from epicenter |
Angono Calabarzon, The Philippines. |
IV
Light |
94 km (58 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Navotas National Capital Region, The Philippines. |
IV
Light |
95 km (59 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Tanza National Capital Region, The Philippines. |
IV
Light |
95 km (59 mi) NE from epicenter |
Taytay Calabarzon, The Philippines. |
IV
Light |
96 km (60 mi) NE from epicenter |
Cainta Calabarzon, The Philippines. |
IV
Light |
98 km (61 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Quezon City National Capital Region, The Philippines. |
IV
Light |
100 km (62 mi) NE from epicenter |
Antipolo Calabarzon, The Philippines. |
IV
Light |
239 km (149 mi) N from epicenter |
Dagupan Ilocos, The Philippines. |
|
279 km (173 mi) N from epicenter |
Baguio Cordillera, The Philippines. |
|
284 km (176 mi) E from epicenter |
Naga Bicol, The Philippines. |
|
292 km (181 mi) SE from epicenter |
Pandan Western Visayas, The Philippines. |
|
293 km (182 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Bayombong Cagayan Valley, The Philippines. |
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 IV.

Shaking reported by 17 people
People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 17 people have reported shaking in 13 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.
- Subic, Central Luzon, Philippines: 2 people.
- Malanday, Southern Tagalog, Philippines: 2 people.
- Mariveles, Central Luzon, Philippines: 1 person.
- Masantol, Central Luzon, Philippines: 1 person.
- Olongapo, Central Luzon, Philippines: 1 person.
- San Jose del Monte, Central Luzon, Philippines: 1 person.
- San Marcelino, Central Luzon, Philippines: 1 person.
- Biñan (Pagsanjan, Laguna), Southern Tagalog, Philippines: 1 person.
- Imus, Southern Tagalog, Philippines: 1 person.
Aftershocks detected
After this earthquake struck, 1 smaller aftershock occurred. A 3.7 magnitude earthquake hit 3 days later 15 km (10 mi) west-northwest of this earthquake.
Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks
Classification | Magnitude | When | Where |
---|---|---|---|
Main Shock This Earthquake |
M 5.4 |
Jan 20, 2025 06:42PM (Manila Time) | - |
Aftershock | M 3.7 |
3 days later Jan 23, 2025 09:18AM (Manila Time) | 15 km (10 mi) WNW from Main Shock. |
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.
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 November 27th, 2024, when a 5.7 magnitude earthquake hit 175 km (109 mi) further north. An even stronger magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck on July 23rd, 2021.
In total, 30 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.
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 5.4. Earthquakes of this strength are unlikely to trigger a tsunami. |
This earthquake occurred at a depth of of 100 km (62 mi). Earthquakes this shallow could trigger a tsunami. |
Sources
Last updated 15/02/25 14:18 (). 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.