M4.8 Earthquake 24 km WSW of San Nicolas, Philippines — December 18, 2025
2025-12-18 18:07:06 UTC (2025-12-18) · approx. 2:07 AM UTC+8 local
On December 18, 2025 at 18:07 UTC, a magnitude 4.8 shallow crustal earthquake struck 24 km WSW of San Nicolas, Philippines, at a depth of 42.6 km and coordinates 14.8483°, 119.8742°. This earthquake was detected by 52 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 354, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.8 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 239 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 1.2 km — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
The epicenter is located in Philippines, a region characterized by the Manila Trench and Philippine Trench subduction systems, where the Philippine Sea Plate overrides the Eurasian Plate. The nearest mapped fault system is the Philippine Fault. View all earthquakes in Philippines.
Learn more: Magnitude scale · Aftershock sequences
Earthquake Details
119.8742°E
Technical Information
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.8 earthquake near San Nicolas, Philippines?
The magnitude 4.8 earthquake that struck 24 km WSW of San Nicolas, Philippines on December 18, 2025 at 18:07 UTC had a depth of 42.6 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at 14.8483°, 119.8742°, which is 24 km WSW of San Nicolas, Philippines. View all earthquakes in Philippines.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.8 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
Has Philippines had earthquakes this big before?
The largest recorded earthquake in Philippines was the M8.0 Mindanao earthquake of August 17, 1976. Today's magnitude 4.8 event is significantly smaller than that historical record.
What should I do after an earthquake?
If you were in the affected area: check yourself and others for injuries, inspect your home for damage, and be prepared for aftershocks. For detailed guidance, see our earthquake safety guide and emergency planning resources.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000rvtb). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2025, December 18, 2025). M4.8 Earthquake 24 km WSW of San Nicolas, Philippines — December 18, 2025. Retrieved May 24, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000rvtb/