Earthquakes in the Philippines Today: An In-depth Look

Earthquakes in Philippines Today
Date and Time (Manila)MagnitudeDepthNearest VolcanoLocationDetails
Jul 13, 02:13 pm (UTC)7.1620 kmMoro Gulf, Mindanao, Philippines
Jul 10, 12:00 pm (UTC)4.830 kmHengchun, Taiwan, Taiwan24.2 km from Pasuquin (15.2 miles)
Jul 08, 21:50 (UTC)4.214 kmHengchun, Taiwan, Taiwan60.2 km from Hengchun (37.2 miles)
Jul 08, 08:19 (UTC)4.850 kmAras-asan, Caraga, Philippines50.2 km from Aras-asan (31.2 miles)
Jul 06, 17:26 (UTC)4.977 kmKinablangan, Davao, Philippines41.2 km from Kinablangan (25.2 miles)
Jul 06, 16:01 (UTC)5.073 kmLope de Vega, Eastern Visayas, Philippines1.2 km from Lope de Vega (1.2 miles)
Jul 06, 10:29 (UTC)5.516 kmSan Benito, Caraga, Philippines70.2 km from Namuac (43.2 miles)
Jul 05, 04:01 (UTC)4.661 kmSan Benito, Caraga, Philippines7.2 km from San Benito (4.2 miles)
Jul 04, 07:30 (UTC)4.648 kmSanta Monica, Caraga, Philippines54.2 km from Aras-asan (34.2 miles)
Jul 02, 15:32 (UTC)5.058 kmSanta Monica, Caraga, Philippines12.2 km from Santa Monica (7.2 miles)
Earthquakes Philippines
Earthquakes Philippines

The Philippines, located in the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’, experiences a high level of seismic activity. According to data from the past 14 years and earthquake records dating back to 1900, there are approximately 12,000 quakes annually in the Philippines. This article will focus on recent earthquakes in the Philippines, with a particular emphasis on those that occurred today.

Major Earthquakes in the Philippines Today

On July 13, 2024, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the Moro Gulf, Mindanao, Philippines, at a depth of 620 km (385 miles). This earthquake is the largest to hit the Philippines today, and it occurred at 02:13 (UTC) or 10:13 am (Manila time). Although the German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ) reported the earthquake as a magnitude 6.7, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) classified it as a magnitude 7.1 event. Despite its depth, the quake is expected to generate aftershocks, as the region is known for its frequent seismic activity and volcanic eruptions.

Recent Earthquakes in the Philippines

In the past 24 hours, the Philippines has experienced a total of 51 earthquakes, with 3 quakes above magnitude 4.0, 5 quakes between 3.0 and 4.0, and 26 quakes between 2.0 and 3.0. Additionally, there were 14 quakes below magnitude 2.0, which are generally not felt by people. The strongest earthquake in the past 24 hours, other than the magnitude 7.1 event, was a magnitude 4.8 earthquake that occurred in the Sulu Sea near Ambil Island island, Philippines, at 9.53 am local time (Asia/Manila GMT +8).

Historical Context of Earthquakes in the Philippines

The Philippines have a history of significant seismic activity, with at least 4 quakes above magnitude 8 since 1900. These large earthquakes occur infrequently, approximately every 30 to 35 years. In addition to the major earthquakes, the Philippines experience approximately 2,700 quakes of magnitude 3 or higher per year, with 588 quakes per year above magnitude 4.0, 77 quakes per year above magnitude 5.0, and 5.4 quakes per year above magnitude 6.0.

Earthquakes in Philippines Today
Earthquakes in Philippines Today

Conclusion

The Philippines’ location in the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’ makes it prone to seismic activity, with a high number of earthquakes occurring each year. The recent magnitude 7.1 earthquake in the Moro Gulf, Mindanao, Philippines, is a reminder of the region’s susceptibility to significant seismic events. Stay informed about earthquakes and their impacts by following reliable sources such as the USGS and PHIVOLCS.