On Wednesday Evening a Shallow M5.5 Earthquake struck in the Philippine Sea 143km from Davao (The Philippines).

Written by Earthquakelist.org on May 6th, 2026. Last updated May 7th, 2026.

Just before midnight of Wednesday May 6th, 2026, a shallow and significant M5.5 earthquake hit in the Philippine Sea 143 kilometer from Davao, The Philippines. Shaking may have been felt by a total of 11 million people.

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Earthquake Summary

This earthquake hit under water in the Philippine Sea, 23 kilometers (15 mi) off the coast of The Philippines, 143 kilometer north-east of Davao. 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:	May 6, 2026 11:35PM (Manila Time) - May 6, 2026 15:35 Universal Time.
Location:	143 km NE of Davao, The Philippines. Coordinates 7°37'60"N 126°46'54"E.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 5.5 Detected by 23 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.065 .
Depth:	10 km (6 mi) A very shallow depth.
Max. Intensity:	VI Strong 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 90% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 fatalities.

The USGS classifies the economic impact of this earthquake at level GREEN (low). They expect an 90% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 million US Dollars in economic damage and impact.

Roughly 11 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 11 million have been exposed to shaking at an MMI level of II or higher.

The highest earthquake impact level for this earthquake is V, which corresponds with moderate shaking and very light damage. Roughly 39,880 people are expected to be exposed to this level. Intensity level III was experienced by the majority of people (around 9 million). In their region, weak shaking and probably no damage can be 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 Manay in Davao, The Philippines. Manay is located 54 kilometer (34 mi) north-east of the epicenter. The intensity of shaking and damage in Manay is estimated to be around level IV on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (light shaking, likely no damage).

Major cities near this earthquake: Davao is located 143 km to the southwest and experienced an intensity of III (weak shaking, probably no damage). Budta is located 263 km to the west (intensity unknown, possibly low). Malingao is located 260 km to the west (intensity unknown, possibly low).

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 V. 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 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:

• Davao, Southern Mindanao, Philippines: 2 people.
• Panabo, Southern Mindanao, Philippines: 2 people.
• Barra, Northern Mindanao, Philippines: 2 people.
• Andili, Southern Mindanao, Philippines: 1 person.
• Brasilisa, Caraga, Philippines: 1 person.
• Bislig, Caraga, Philippines: 1 person.
• Dapa, Caraga, Philippines: 1 person.
• Ula, Southern Mindanao, Philippines: 1 person.

Aftershocks detected

Since this main shock, 1 smaller aftershock was detected. At a distance of 18 km (11 mi) southwest of this earthquake, an aftershock struck 18 hrs later. It measured a magnitude of 4.1

In the days before this main shock, 1 smaller foreshock was detected. Nearby this earthquake a foreshock struck 16 hrs earlier. It measured a magnitude of 4.6

Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks

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.

In only six percent of cases, significant earthquakes are followed by a larger main shock, making the current earthquake a foreshock. While the chance of this happening is not so large, it is adviced to maintain cautiousness in the hours and days following a major 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 January 7th, 2026, when a 6.4 magnitude earthquake hit 45 km (28 mi) further south. An even stronger magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck on December 2nd, 2023.

In total, 106 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.5 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

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

Sources

Last updated 07/05/26 11:38 (). 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.

1. US Geographic Society (USGS): Earthquake us6000svp9
2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20260506_0000265
3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
4. Google Maps: Static API
5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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