M4.5 Earthquake 86 km ESE of Pondaguitan, Philippines — May 18, 2026
2026-05-18 18:06:04 UTC (1 day ago) · approx. 2:06 AM UTC+8 local
On May 18, 2026 at 18:06 UTC, a magnitude 4.5 shallow crustal earthquake struck 86 km ESE of Pondaguitan, Philippines, at a depth of 54.2 km and coordinates 6.0790°, 126.9025°. This earthquake was detected by 53 seismic stations with good location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 312, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.5 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 85 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 767 m — 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
126.9025°E
Technical Information
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Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.5 earthquake near Pondaguitan, Philippines?
The magnitude 4.5 earthquake that struck 86 km ESE of Pondaguitan, Philippines on May 18, 2026 at 18:06 UTC had a depth of 54.2 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at 6.0790°, 126.9025°, which is 86 km ESE of Pondaguitan, Philippines. View all earthquakes in Philippines.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.5 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 4.5 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: us6000sykj). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, May 18, 2026). M4.5 Earthquake 86 km ESE of Pondaguitan, Philippines — May 18, 2026. Retrieved May 20, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000sykj/