Shallow M5.7 Earthquake struck on Thursday Morning near Surigao in The Philippines.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on January 22nd, 2025. Last updated January 24th, 2025.

In the morning of Thursday January 23rd, 2025, a shallow and significant M5.7 earthquake hit under land 51 kilometer from Surigao in The Philippines. Around 17 million people have been exposed to shaking.

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Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in The Philippines, 51 kilometer (32 mi) northwest of Surigao in Caraga. The center of this earthquake had a very shallow depth of 9 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.

Date and Time:	Jan 23, 2025 07:39AM (Manila Time) - Jan 22, 2025 23:39 Universal Time.
Location:	51 km NW of Surigao, Caraga, The Philippines. Coordinates 10°7'52"N 125°10'49"E.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 5.7 Detected by 43 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.047 .
Depth:	9 km (6 mi) A very shallow depth.
Max. Intensity:	VII Very Strong On the Modified Mercalli Scale.
Tsunami Risk:	Tsunami very unlikely While this was a shallow earthquake in a coastal area, it appears to have occurred under land (1 km from the sea) with a magnitude that is usually not strong enough 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 99% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 million US Dollars in economic damage and impact.

Roughly 17 million people exposed to shaking

An estimated 17 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.

An estimated 7,650 people were exposed to level VII. At this level, very strong shaking and likely moderate damage can be expected. The majority of people (roughly 10 million) live in an area exposed to level III, where weak shaking and probably no damage is expected. All exposure to shaking was within the borders of The Philippines .

Nearby towns and cities

This earthquake may have been felt in The Philippines . The closest significant population center near the earthquake is Maasin in Eastern Visayas, The Philippines. Maasin is located 37 kilometer (23 mi) east of the epicenter. Maasin experienced an earthquake intensity (MMI Scale) of roughly IV. That level implies light shaking and likely no damage.

Multiple large cities are in proximity of today's earthquake. Cebu City is located 143 km to the west and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage). Lapu-Lapu City is located 136 km to the west and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage). Mandaue City is located 139 km to the west 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

Earthquake Intensity Map

The maximum intensity (MMI Scale) caused by this earthquake is VII. 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

Shaking reported by 29 people

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 29 people have reported shaking in 20 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:

• Cebu, Central Visayas, Philippines: 8 people.
• Minglanilla, Central Visayas, Philippines: 3 people.
• Loreto (Loreto, Surigao del Norte), Caraga, Philippines: 1 person.
• Isabel, Eastern Visayas, Philippines: 1 person.
• Tabunok, Eastern Visayas, Philippines: 1 person.
• Santa Fe (Matalom, Leyte), Eastern Visayas, Philippines: 1 person.
• Pawing, Eastern Visayas, Philippines: 1 person.
• MacArthur, Eastern Visayas, Philippines: 1 person.
• Maasin, Eastern Visayas, Philippines: 1 person.
• Liloan (Liloan, Southern Leyte), Eastern Visayas, Philippines: 1 person.

2 Aftershocks detected

After this earthquake struck, 2 smaller aftershocks occurred. At a distance of 74 km (46 mi) north-east of this earthquake, an aftershock struck 19 hrs later. It measured a magnitude of 4.5

Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks

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

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 August 3rd, 2024, when a 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit 281 km (175 mi) further south-east. An even stronger magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck on December 2nd, 2023.

In total, 32 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.7 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

While MAG-6.5+ earthquakes may cause tsunami's, it appears that the epicenter of this earthquake hit under land. In addition, the reported depth is deeper than 100km, making the risk of a tsunami even less likely. However always stay cautious and monitor advice from local authorities.

Tsunami Risk Factors

Sources

Last updated 24/01/25 04:38 (). 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.

1. US Geographic Society (USGS): Earthquake us6000plql
2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20250122_0000274
3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
4. Google Maps: Static API
5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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