Philippines: Magnitude-5.0 earthquake strikes in the Celebes Sea, south of Mindanao, at 0919 Dec. 22

Event

A magnitude-5.0 earthquake occurred in the Celebes Sea, off the southern coast of the Philippines' Mindanao Island. The epicenter was about 105 km (65 miles) south of General Santos City. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 44 km (27 miles), and light shaking may have occurred in parts of southern Mindanao. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties because of the earthquake; however, significant damage is unlikely. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Aftershocks are possible over the coming days. The event did not prompt 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.