Philippines: Magnitude-5.1 earthquake occurs in the Mindanao, July 18

Event

A magnitude-5.1 earthquake occurred in the southern Mindanao, at around 08:09 July 18. The epicenter was approximately 91 km (56 miles) southeast of Davao. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 82 km (51 miles), and weak-to-light shaking was probably felt across Mindanao, including General Santos city. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake; however, damage is possible given the temblor's shallow depth of focus. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Aftershocks are likely over the coming days.

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. Vacate 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.