On Thursday Afternoon a Significant M5.5 Earthquake struck in the Sulawesi Sea near General Santos (The Philippines).

Written by Earthquakelist.org on October 8th, 2026.

In the Sulawesi Sea 57 kilometer from General Santos, The Philippines, a significant Magnitude 5.5 earthquake occurred in the late afternoon of Thursday October 8th, 2026. Around 2.8 million people have been exposed to shaking.

Earthquake Summary

This earthquake hit under water in the Sulawesi Sea, right off the coast of The Philippines (10 mi offshore), 57 kilometer south of General Santos in Soccsksargen. The center of this earthquake had a quite shallow depth of 52 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.

Date and Time:	Oct 8, 2026 04:07PM (Manila Time) - Oct 8, 2026 08:07 Universal Time.
Location:	57 km south of General Santos, Soccsksargen, The Philippines. Coordinates 5°36'2"N 125°9'8"E.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 5.5 Detected by 17 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.075 .
Depth:	52 km (32 mi) A quite shallow 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 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 2.8 million people exposed to shaking

This earthquake may have been felt by around 2.8 million people. That is the expected population size of the area exposed to a level of shaking of II or higher on the Modified Mercalli scale according to the USGS.

The highest earthquake impact level for this earthquake is V, which corresponds with moderate shaking and very light damage. Roughly 2,410 people are expected to be exposed to this level. The majority of people (roughly 2.4 million) live in an area exposed to level IV, where light shaking and likely no damage is expected.

People in 2 countries have been exposed to shaking. In The Philippines , around 2.8 million people, with impact levels up to V (moderate shaking, very light damage). People were exposed to shaking in Indonesia as well.

People	MMI Level	Shaking	Damage
0	I	Not noticable	None
0	II	Very weak	None
390,300	III	Weak	Probably none
2,377,000	IV	Light	Likely none
2,410	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 Glan in Soccsksargen, The Philippines. Glan is located 25 kilometer (16 mi) south of the epicenter. The intensity of shaking and damage in Glan is estimated to be around level IV on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (light shaking, likely no damage).

Multiple large cities are in proximity of today's earthquake. General Santos is located 57 km to the north and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage). Davao is located 171 km to the north (intensity unknown, possibly low). Budta is located 195 km to the northwest (intensity unknown, possibly low).

An overview of nearby towns and cities is available in the overview below. If places don't have intensity data available, it likely means the experienced impact in those places was fairly small.

Overview of nearby places

Cities and Towns around the epicenter of this earthquake.
Distance	Place	Intensity (MMI)
25 km (16 mi) N from epicenter	Glan Soccsksargen, The Philippines.	IV Light
44 km (27 mi) N from epicenter	Malapatan Soccsksargen, The Philippines.	IV Light
57 km (35 mi) N from epicenter	General Santos Soccsksargen, The Philippines.	IV Light
58 km (36 mi) N from epicenter	Alabel Soccsksargen, The Philippines.	IV Light
70 km (43 mi) N from epicenter	Polomolok Soccsksargen, The Philippines.	IV Light
77 km (48 mi) N from epicenter	Maluñgun Soccsksargen, The Philippines.	IV Light
85 km (53 mi) N from epicenter	Tupi Soccsksargen, The Philippines.	IV Light
85 km (53 mi) NW from epicenter	Lake Sebu Soccsksargen, The Philippines.	IV Light
97 km (60 mi) NW from epicenter	Surallah Soccsksargen, The Philippines.	IV Light
100 km (62 mi) NW from epicenter	Bañga Soccsksargen, The Philippines.	IV Light
104 km (65 mi) NE from epicenter	Malita Davao, The Philippines.	IV Light
106 km (66 mi) N from epicenter	Koronadal Soccsksargen, The Philippines.
112 km (70 mi) N from epicenter	Santa Maria Davao, The Philippines.
129 km (80 mi) NW from epicenter	Isulan Soccsksargen, The Philippines.
130 km (81 mi) N from epicenter	Digos Davao, The Philippines.
130 km (81 mi) N from epicenter	Magsaysay Davao, The Philippines.
130 km (81 mi) N from epicenter	Buluan Rehiyong Autonomo sa Muslim na Mindanao, The Philippines.
132 km (82 mi) N from epicenter	Bansalan Davao, The Philippines.
132 km (82 mi) NW from epicenter	Tacurong Soccsksargen, The Philippines.
138 km (86 mi) NW from epicenter	Laguilayan Soccsksargen, The Philippines.
157 km (98 mi) N from epicenter	Kidapawan Soccsksargen, The Philippines.
161 km (100 mi) NW from epicenter	Maganoy Rehiyong Autonomo sa Muslim na Mindanao, The Philippines.
171 km (106 mi) N from epicenter	Davao Davao, The Philippines.
171 km (106 mi) N from epicenter	Kabacan Soccsksargen, The Philippines.
173 km (107 mi) NE from epicenter	Lupon Davao, The Philippines.
175 km (109 mi) N from epicenter	Samal Davao, The Philippines.
189 km (117 mi) NW from epicenter	Malingao Soccsksargen, The Philippines.
190 km (118 mi) N from epicenter	Midsayap Soccsksargen, The Philippines.
191 km (119 mi) NE from epicenter	Mati Davao, The Philippines.
191 km (119 mi) NW from epicenter	Pagaluñgan Rehiyong Autonomo sa Muslim na Mindanao, The Philippines.
195 km (121 mi) NW from epicenter	Budta Rehiyong Autonomo sa Muslim na Mindanao, The Philippines.
199 km (124 mi) N from epicenter	Panabo Davao, The Philippines.
206 km (128 mi) NW from epicenter	Cotabato Rehiyong Autonomo sa Muslim na Mindanao, The Philippines.
211 km (131 mi) N from epicenter	Cabayangan Davao, The Philippines.
218 km (135 mi) N from epicenter	Magugpo Poblacion Davao, The Philippines.
220 km (137 mi) NW from epicenter	Parang Rehiyong Autonomo sa Muslim na Mindanao, The Philippines.
231 km (144 mi) NE from epicenter	San Mariano Davao, The Philippines.
232 km (144 mi) N from epicenter	Don Carlos Northern Mindanao, The Philippines.
233 km (145 mi) N from epicenter	New Corella Davao, The Philippines.
236 km (147 mi) NE from epicenter	Manay Davao, The Philippines.
237 km (147 mi) N from epicenter	Quezon Northern Mindanao, The Philippines.
238 km (148 mi) N from epicenter	Wao Rehiyong Autonomo sa Muslim na Mindanao, The Philippines.
241 km (150 mi) N from epicenter	Maramag Northern Mindanao, The Philippines.
241 km (150 mi) N from epicenter	Nabunturan Davao, The Philippines.
249 km (155 mi) N from epicenter	Dologon Northern Mindanao, The Philippines.
253 km (157 mi) NE from epicenter	Compostela Davao, The Philippines.
256 km (159 mi) N from epicenter	NIA Valencia Northern Mindanao, The Philippines.
266 km (165 mi) N from epicenter	Monkayo Davao, The Philippines.
284 km (176 mi) N from epicenter	Malaybalay Northern Mindanao, The Philippines.
284 km (176 mi) N from epicenter	Marawi City Rehiyong Autonomo sa Muslim na Mindanao, The Philippines.
289 km (180 mi) N from epicenter	Veruela Caraga, The Philippines.

Earthquake Intensity Map

The intensity in shaking and damage by this earthquake is illustrated through the map below. The highest intensity measured for this earthquake is V.

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 9 people

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 9 people have reported shaking in 7 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:

Buayan, Southern Mindanao, Philippines: 3 people.
Glan, Southern Mindanao, Philippines: 1 person.
Padada, Southern Mindanao, Philippines: 1 person.
San Jose (General Santos City, South Cotabato), Southern Mindanao, Philippines: 1 person.
Panabo, Southern Mindanao, Philippines: 1 person.
Tulunan, Central Mindanao, Philippines: 1 person.
Dapa, Caraga, Philippines: 1 person.

3 Aftershocks detected

This main shock was followed by 3 smaller aftershocks. At a distance of 48 km (30 mi) west of this earthquake, an aftershock struck 1 day later. It measured a magnitude of 4.2

This main shock was prefaced by 1 smaller foreshock. A 3 magnitude earthquake hit 1 day earlier nearby.

Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks

Detected MAG2.5+ earthquakes within within 100km (62 mi), that occurred in the three days before and after the main shock.
Classification	Magnitude	When	Where
Foreshock	M 3.0	1 day earlier Oct 7, 2026 12:07AM (Manila Time)	57 km (36 mi) NW from Main Shock.
Main Shock	M 4.7	Oct 8, 2026 12:42AM (Manila Time)	-
Aftershock	M 3.2	18 hrs later Oct 8, 2026 06:49PM (Manila Time)	66 km (41 mi) NW from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 4.1	1 day later Oct 9, 2026 03:06AM (Manila Time)	66 km (41 mi) W from Main Shock.
Aftershock	M 4.2	1 day later Oct 9, 2026 03:44AM (Manila Time)	48 km (30 mi) W 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. This is the strongest earthquake to hit since August 5th, 2026, when a 5.6 magnitude earthquake hit 54 km (34 mi) further south. An even stronger magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck on June 7th, 2026.

In total, 109 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

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 5.5. Earthquakes of this strength are unlikely to trigger a tsunami.	This earthquake occurred at a depth of of 52 km (32 mi). Earthquakes this shallow could trigger a tsunami.

Sources

Last updated 08/10/26 21:58 (). 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.