Philippines: Magnitude-5.4 offshore earthquake off the coast of southeast Bicol Region late Dec. 7

Event

A magnitude-5.4 offshore earthquake occurred in the Philippine Sea, southeast of the Bicol Region, at around 2237 PST Dec. 7. The epicenter was about 84 km (52 miles) east-southeast of Legazpi City. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 72 km (54 miles), and weak-to-light shaking likely occurred in parts of the Bicol Region and the northeast Visayas. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties because of the earthquake; significant damage is unlikely. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Aftershocks are likely over the coming days. The event 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.