Manila, Jan 07: The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has reported that a powerful magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck off the coast of Davao Oriental province in the southern Philippines on Wednesday morning.

According to the institute, the earthquake occurred at 11:02 a.m. local time at a depth of 42 kilometers, with the epicenter located approximately 47 kilometers from the coastal town of Manay.

The seismic activity was felt across the island, prompting concerns about potential aftershocks and damage in the surrounding areas, as mentioned in a report by Xinhua news agency.

Despite the intensity of the earthquake, authorities near the epicenter have not received any immediate reports of injuries or significant damage caused by the seismic event.

Just a few weeks prior, on December 22, 2025, the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences had recorded a magnitude 5.7 earthquake in the waters near the Philippines. The epicenter of this earlier earthquake was determined to be at 8.32 degrees north latitude and 127.57 degrees east longitude, with a depth of 10 km.

In a separate incident in October 2025, a strong 6.9-magnitude earthquake shook the central region of the Philippines, resulting in extensive damage, casualties, and widespread fear among residents. The quake originated northeast of Bogo in Cebu province and had a shallow depth of about five kilometers.

The Philippines, being situated in the Pacific Ring of Fire, experiences frequent and severe seismic activity due to the constant movement of tectonic plates in the region. This geological setting leads to intense seismic and volcanic events, making the country highly susceptible to earthquakes.

Specifically, in the central Philippines, seismic activity is influenced by the interactions between the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate. The subduction of these plates along the Philippine Trench and Manila and Negros Trenches creates immense underground pressure, contributing to the heightened earthquake risk in the region.

While Tuesday’s earthquake was triggered by a local fault, the underlying stress from the converging tectonic plates plays a significant role in the seismic activity observed in the Philippines. This ongoing geological phenomenon underscores the country’s vulnerability to earthquakes and the need for continued monitoring and preparedness efforts.