A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck off the southern tip of Mindanao on Tuesday night, and Phivolcs says residents across Davao Occidental and nearby provinces may have felt the ground move. The state seismology bureau has already said it expects no damage and no immediate aftershocks, but the tremor still sent “earthquake” and “earthquake near me” to the top of Philippine search trends.
What the quake was
The tremor hit at 9:22 PM Tuesday, with an epicenter 115 km south of Balut Island in Sarangani, Davao Occidental. Phivolcs measured it at magnitude 6.0 with a focal depth of 93 km and a tectonic origin, meaning the shaking came from movement of the Earth’s crust rather than volcanic activity.
Where it was felt
Weak to slightly-felt shaking was recorded instrumentally across parts of Davao Occidental, Sarangani, and South Cotabato.
| Intensity | Areas reported |
|---|---|
| III (weak) | Don Marcelino, Jose Abad Santos, Malita (Davao Occidental); Kiamba (Sarangani); Tupi (South Cotabato) |
| II (slightly felt) | Digos City (Davao del Sur); Maasim, Malapatan, Maitum (Sarangani); General Santos City; T’boli (South Cotabato) |
| I (scarcely perceptible) | Sarangani (Davao Occidental); Koronadal City (South Cotabato) |
Residents of General Santos City and Koronadal were among those reported to have felt the tremor, according to Inquirer’s coverage of the event.
Why there is no cause for alarm
In its first bulletin, Phivolcs said it expects no damage and no immediate aftershocks. The quake’s depth of 93 km put its focus well below the surface, which tends to dampen the shaking felt on the ground. NET25’s report likewise confirmed the tremor struck at 9:22 p.m. Tuesday.
Mindanao stays on alert
The area sits near fault and hazard zones mapped for Mindanao through the GeoRiskPH platform, and Phivolcs has kept communities on alert across the south as it monitors both quake and volcanic risk. The deadly June 2026 Mindanao quake, which caused landslides and widespread damage, is still fresh in the region’s memory.
What to do when the ground shakes
- Drop, cover, and hold on until the shaking stops.
- Stay away from windows, glass, and hanging objects.
- If outdoors, move to an open space away from buildings and power lines.
- After the shaking, check for hazards and be ready for aftershocks.
Bookmark the official Phivolcs earthquake page and the GeoRiskPH hazard maps to stay ahead of the next tremor.
