A magnitude 5.1 earthquake hit offshore Davao Oriental early Sunday morning, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
The quake struck at 7:13 a.m., with its epicenter located about 198 kilometers south, 51 degrees east of the town of Governor Generoso.
Phivolcs said the earthquake was tectonic in origin and occurred at a depth of 40 kilometers. Because of its offshore location and depth, no damage is expected, although aftershocks may still occur.
Governor Generoso sits along the southeastern coast of Davao Oriental and is home to nearly 60,000 residents across 20 barangays. The area lies within the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for frequent seismic activity. Phivolcs noted that earthquakes at this depth typically result in weaker ground shaking on land.
The tremor was recorded at Intensity I or lower in nearby areas, which is barely felt and common for offshore earthquakes of this magnitude and distance. There were no immediate reports of damage, tsunami threats, or service disruptions.
Phivolcs reminded the public to stay alert and practice standard safety measures, such as “Duck, Cover, and Hold,” during earthquakes. Residents in coastal and landslide-prone areas were also advised to remain cautious in case of aftershocks, as monitoring of the region’s seismic activity continues.