Phivolcs Releases Bulletin about the Earthquake in Davao Oriental, January 7, 2026
EARTHQUAKE – The Phivolcs recorded a 6.4 magnitude quake in Davao Oriental today, January 7, 2026. Here are the details.
Following the 6.9 magnitude earthquake in Cebu last September 30, another significant quake was recently recorded by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) in another province. According to the agency, the quake recently hit Davao Oriental and it has a magnitude of 6.4.
The earthquake that struck Davao Oriental today, January 7, 2026, was tectonic in origin. A tectonic quake is a shaking which is a product when the Earth’s crust breaks because of the geological forces on the rocks and the adjoining plates which result to chemical and physical changes.
According to Phivolcs, the earthquake that hit a part of Davao Oriental was located at 07.26°North, 127.03°East – 055 km North 85° East of Manay. It had a depth of focus of 023 kilometers.
Phivolcs stated in its bulletin that damages are not expected from the said quake neither aftershocks. According to the quake-recording agency, the following intensities were recorded in these areas:
Intensity II
- CITY OF DAVAO
- CITY OF GENERAL SANTOS
- CITY OF BUTUAN
- City of Baybay, and Palo, LEYTE; Hinundayan, San Juan, and San Francisco, SOUTHERN LEYTE
Intensity III
- City of Tandag, SURIGAO DEL SUR
- Boston and Baganga, DAVAO ORIENTAL
- Claver, SURIGAO DEL NORTE
Intensity IV
- City of Bislig and Cagwait, SURIGAO DEL SUR
- Tarragona and Cateel, DAVAO ORIENTAL
Intensity V
- Manay, DAVAO ORIENTAL
- Hinatuan, SURIGAO DEL SUR
- Talacogon, AGUSAN DEL SUR
The following instrumental intensities were recorded in these areas:
Intensity III
- Kiamba, SARANGANI
- City of Digos, DAVAO DEL SUR
- City of Davao
Intensity IV
- Malungon, SARANGANI
Earthquakes can hardly be predicted accurately as most experts in the field agree on. Thus, most countries really make sure that they have a bureau or an organization that monitors a quake incident across their nation.
Quakes can happen in land and underwater. In the case of the latter, it can trigger tsunami thus quake-recording agencies are also often the one that monitors tsunami threats. They are the bodies releasing advisories whenever there are threats of tsunami following a strong quake shaking the land in the coastal area or underwater.
On land, quakes can result to damages and loss of lives thus it is important to be aware of the earthquake safety tips to reduce the risk of damages and loss of lives by knowing what to do.
Casualties were reported of the said recent strong quake that jolted Cebu on the eve of September 30. President Bongbong Marcos has ordered the government agencies to provide help to the victims of the earthquake.