Magnitude 6.4 earthquake strikes southern Philippines

A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck the Philippines, with preliminary assessments indicating a low likelihood of casualties or significant damage, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

The earthquake occurred at 11:01 a.m. local time on Wednesday, with the epicenter located offshore Davao Region in the southern Philippines, the USGS said. The quake struck at a depth of about 36 miles (58.5 km).

The epicenter was located approximately 17 miles (27 km) east of the town of Santiago and about 52 miles (84 km) from Davao City, according to the USGS.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) said there was no tsunami threat following the earthquake based on available data.

A USGS analysis indicated a low probability of casualties and damage, with an estimated 30% chance of one to 10 deaths. The earthquake may have been felt at moderate intensity by up to 360,000 people, with light shaking experienced by as many as 7.5 million, the agency said.

The Philippines is located in a highly active seismic zone where several major tectonic plates converge, including the Philippine Sea Plate, the Pacific Plate, the Eurasia Plate, and the Sunda Plate, according to the USGS.

A magnitude 6.9 earthquake on September 30, 2025 killed nearly 80 people and injured more than 1,200 others in the Visayas archipelago.