A shallow and significant M5.1 aftershock struck in the Sulawesi Sea 94 kilometer from Malingao, The Philippines in the morning of Wednesday January 28th, 2026. The earthquake struck near a very densely populated region.
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Earthquake Summary
This earthquake hit under water in the Sulawesi Sea, right off the coast of The Philippines (7 mi offshore), 94 kilometer southwest of Malingao in Soccsksargen. The center of this earthquake had a very shallow depth of 10 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.
| Date and Time: | Jan 28, 2026 11:24AM (Manila Time) - Jan 28, 2026 03:24 Universal Time. |
|---|---|
| Location: | 94 km SW of Malingao, Soccsksargen, The Philippines. Coordinates 6°30'26"N 123°56'1"E. |
| Map: |  Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps. |
| Magnitude: | MAG 5.1 Detected by 38 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.092 . |
| Depth: | 10 km (6 mi) A very shallow depth. |
| Tsunami Risk: | Low tsunami risk Earthquakes under MAG-6.5 do not usually cause tsunami's. Always stay cautious - More info here. |
Nearby towns and cities
This earthquake may have been felt in The Philippines . Laguilayan in Soccsksargen, The Philippines is the nearest significant place from the epicenter. The earthquake occurred 68 kilometer (42 mi) west-southwest of Laguilayan.
Multiple large cities are in proximity of today's earthquake. Budta is located 96 km to the north-east. Malingao is located 94 km to the north-east. Davao is located 196 km to the east-northeast.
A complete list of nearby places is included below.
Overview of nearby places
| Distance | Place |
|---|---|
| 68 km (42 mi) ENE from epicenter |
Laguilayan Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 69 km (43 mi) NE from epicenter |
Maganoy Rehiyong Autonomo sa Muslim na Mindanao, The Philippines. |
| 75 km (47 mi) E from epicenter |
Isulan Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 85 km (53 mi) ENE from epicenter |
Tacurong Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 86 km (53 mi) NE from epicenter |
Pagaluñgan Rehiyong Autonomo sa Muslim na Mindanao, The Philippines. |
| 87 km (54 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Cotabato Rehiyong Autonomo sa Muslim na Mindanao, The Philippines. |
| 91 km (57 mi) ESE from epicenter |
Lake Sebu Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 91 km (57 mi) E from epicenter |
Surallah Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 94 km (58 mi) NE from epicenter |
Malingao Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 94 km (58 mi) E from epicenter |
Bañga Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 96 km (60 mi) NE from epicenter |
Budta Rehiyong Autonomo sa Muslim na Mindanao, The Philippines. |
| 99 km (62 mi) ENE from epicenter |
Buluan Rehiyong Autonomo sa Muslim na Mindanao, The Philippines. |
| 101 km (63 mi) E from epicenter |
Koronadal Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 101 km (63 mi) NE from epicenter |
Midsayap Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 103 km (64 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Parang Rehiyong Autonomo sa Muslim na Mindanao, The Philippines. |
| 114 km (71 mi) E from epicenter |
Tupi Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 119 km (74 mi) NE from epicenter |
Kabacan Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 129 km (80 mi) ESE from epicenter |
Polomolok Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 139 km (86 mi) ENE from epicenter |
Kidapawan Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 141 km (88 mi) ENE from epicenter |
Magsaysay Davao, The Philippines. |
| 144 km (89 mi) ESE from epicenter |
General Santos Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 145 km (90 mi) ENE from epicenter |
Bansalan Davao, The Philippines. |
| 151 km (94 mi) E from epicenter |
Maluñgun Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 154 km (96 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Wao Rehiyong Autonomo sa Muslim na Mindanao, The Philippines. |
| 155 km (96 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Muricay Zamboanga Peninsula, The Philippines. |
| 157 km (98 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Pagadian Zamboanga Peninsula, The Philippines. |
| 157 km (98 mi) ESE from epicenter |
Alabel Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 160 km (99 mi) ESE from epicenter |
Glan Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 160 km (99 mi) E from epicenter |
Digos Davao, The Philippines. |
| 161 km (100 mi) ESE from epicenter |
Malapatan Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 171 km (106 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Marawi City Rehiyong Autonomo sa Muslim na Mindanao, The Philippines. |
| 174 km (108 mi) N from epicenter |
Tangub Northern Mindanao, The Philippines. |
| 176 km (109 mi) NE from epicenter |
Don Carlos Northern Mindanao, The Philippines. |
| 182 km (113 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Molave Zamboanga Peninsula, The Philippines. |
| 183 km (114 mi) N from epicenter |
Ozamiz City Northern Mindanao, The Philippines. |
| 183 km (114 mi) NE from epicenter |
Maramag Northern Mindanao, The Philippines. |
| 186 km (116 mi) E from epicenter |
Malita Davao, The Philippines. |
| 187 km (116 mi) NE from epicenter |
Quezon Northern Mindanao, The Philippines. |
| 187 km (116 mi) N from epicenter |
Mantampay Northern Mindanao, The Philippines. |
| 194 km (121 mi) N from epicenter |
Iligan Northern Mindanao, The Philippines. |
| 196 km (122 mi) ENE from epicenter |
Davao Davao, The Philippines. |
| 201 km (125 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Iligan City Soccsksargen, The Philippines. |
| 202 km (126 mi) NE from epicenter |
NIA Valencia Northern Mindanao, The Philippines. |
| 210 km (130 mi) WNW from epicenter |
Zamboanga Zamboanga Peninsula, The Philippines. |
| 213 km (132 mi) ENE from epicenter |
Panabo Davao, The Philippines. |
| 218 km (135 mi) W from epicenter |
City of Isabela Rehiyong Autonomo sa Muslim na Mindanao, The Philippines. |
| 231 km (144 mi) ENE from epicenter |
Magugpo Poblacion Davao, The Philippines. |
| 233 km (145 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Cagayan de Oro Northern Mindanao, The Philippines. |
| 238 km (148 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Dipolog Zamboanga Peninsula, The Philippines. |
| 246 km (153 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Dapitan Zamboanga Peninsula, The Philippines. |
| 257 km (160 mi) ENE from epicenter |
Mati Davao, The Philippines. |
| 283 km (176 mi) NE from epicenter |
Veruela Caraga, The Philippines. |
This is likely an aftershock
Approximately 10 hrs before this earthquake hit, a larger 5.3 magnitude earthquake struck 18 km (11 mi) west-southwest of this one. For that reason, we classify the Mag. 5.1 earthquake as an aftershock.
Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks
| Classification | Magnitude | When | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreshock | M 3.1 |
3 days earlier Jan 25, 2026 01:54AM (Manila Time) | 31 km (19 mi) NNW from Main Shock. |
| Foreshock | M 3.0 |
2 days earlier Jan 25, 2026 08:49PM (Manila Time) | 20 km (12 mi) N from Main Shock. |
| Foreshock | M 3.6 |
2 days earlier Jan 26, 2026 06:48AM (Manila Time) | 11 km (7 mi) W from Main Shock. |
| Foreshock | M 4.4 |
2 days earlier Jan 26, 2026 08:33AM (Manila Time) | 7 km (5 mi) W from Main Shock. |
| Foreshock | M 3.0 |
2 days earlier Jan 26, 2026 11:18AM (Manila Time) | 1.4 km (0.9 mi) WSW from Main Shock. |
| Foreshock | M 4.2 |
1 day earlier Jan 26, 2026 06:06PM (Manila Time) | 23 km (14 mi) S from Main Shock. |
| Foreshock | M 3.9 |
1 day earlier Jan 26, 2026 06:25PM (Manila Time) | 52 km (33 mi) SSW from Main Shock. |
| Foreshock | M 3.0 |
1 day earlier Jan 26, 2026 07:25PM (Manila Time) | 11 km (7 mi) WNW from Main Shock. |
| Foreshock | M 3.2 |
1 day earlier Jan 26, 2026 07:52PM (Manila Time) | 15 km (9 mi) WNW from Main Shock. |
| Foreshock | M 4.7 |
2 hrs earlier Jan 27, 2026 10:47PM (Manila Time) | 24 km (15 mi) NW from Main Shock. |
| Foreshock | M 3.2 |
2 hrs earlier Jan 27, 2026 11:26PM (Manila Time) | 21 km (13 mi) NNW from Main Shock. |
| Foreshock | M 4.9 |
1 hr earlier Jan 27, 2026 11:50PM (Manila Time) | 14 km (8 mi) SW from Main Shock. |
| Foreshock | M 3.9 |
3 mins earlier Jan 28, 2026 01:02AM (Manila Time) | 26 km (16 mi) SW from Main Shock. |
| Main Shock | M 5.3 |
Jan 28, 2026 01:05AM (Manila Time) | - |
| Aftershock | M 4.3 |
36 mins later Jan 28, 2026 01:41AM (Manila Time) | 25 km (15 mi) SSW from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 4.7 |
39 mins later Jan 28, 2026 01:43AM (Manila Time) | 4 km (2.3 mi) S from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 3.3 |
55 mins later Jan 28, 2026 02:00AM (Manila Time) | 18 km (11 mi) W from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 3.3 |
1 hr later Jan 28, 2026 02:25AM (Manila Time) | 16 km (10 mi) WNW from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 3.0 |
2 hrs later Jan 28, 2026 02:42AM (Manila Time) | 23 km (14 mi) WSW from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 3.5 |
2 hrs later Jan 28, 2026 03:25AM (Manila Time) | 21 km (13 mi) N from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 3.7 |
2 hrs later Jan 28, 2026 03:32AM (Manila Time) | 19 km (12 mi) SW from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 4.8 |
3 hrs later Jan 28, 2026 03:46AM (Manila Time) | 3 km (1.9 mi) S from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 5.1 |
3 hrs later Jan 28, 2026 03:54AM (Manila Time) | 13 km (8 mi) N from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 3.5 |
3 hrs later Jan 28, 2026 04:10AM (Manila Time) | 15 km (9 mi) NNW from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 3.4 |
4 hrs later Jan 28, 2026 04:44AM (Manila Time) | 34 km (21 mi) SW from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 3.0 |
5 hrs later Jan 28, 2026 06:11AM (Manila Time) | 14 km (9 mi) WNW from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 3.5 |
5 hrs later Jan 28, 2026 06:28AM (Manila Time) | 8 km (5 mi) NW from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 4.6 |
6 hrs later Jan 28, 2026 07:20AM (Manila Time) | 23 km (14 mi) ENE from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 5.3 |
9 hrs later Jan 28, 2026 09:41AM (Manila Time) | 15 km (10 mi) WSW from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 3.0 |
9 hrs later Jan 28, 2026 10:05AM (Manila Time) | 8 km (5 mi) WNW from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 4.5 |
9 hrs later Jan 28, 2026 10:23AM (Manila Time) | 10 km (6 mi) WNW from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock This Earthquake |
M 5.1 |
10 hrs later Jan 28, 2026 11:24AM (Manila Time) | 18 km (11 mi) ENE from Main Shock. |
| Aftershock | M 4.7 |
10 hrs later Jan 28, 2026 11:33AM (Manila Time) | 6 km (4 mi) SW 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.
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. In total, 101 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 month.
Low tsunami risk
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.
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 5.1. Earthquakes of this strength are unlikely to trigger a tsunami. |
This earthquake occurred at a depth of of 10 km (6 mi). Earthquakes this shallow could trigger a tsunami. |
Sources
Last updated 28/01/26 05:08 (). This article is automatically generated based on available data. We keep checking multiple sources for additional information. This article gets updated as new details on this earthquake become available.
- US Geographic Society (USGS): Earthquake us6000s4x4
- European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20260128_0000053
- Geonames.org: World Cities Database
- Google Maps: Static API
- Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database
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