Celebes Sea: Magnitude-5.1 offshore earthquake struck in Celebes Sea, off Mindanao, at around 1830 PST Dec. 16

Event

A magnitude-5.1 offshore earthquake occurred in the Celebes Sea south of Mindanao Island, Philippines, at around 1830 PST Dec. 16. The epicenter was approximately 100 km (62 miles) south-southeast of General Santos City, Mindanao, Philippines. The tremor occurred at a depth of around 21 km (13 miles). The earthquake may have caused weak-to-light shaking in southern Mindanao Island, including Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, Sarangani, South Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat provinces, and southern parts of Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, and Maguindanao provinces. Weak-to-light shaking may also have been felt in Karakelong and Sangihe islands in Talaud Islands Regency, North Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Light aftershocks are possible over the coming days. The incident has not prompted any tsunami advisories.

Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.