M4.8 Earthquake 42 km SW of Balangonan, Philippines — July 3, 2026
2026-07-03 19:09:17 UTC (2 hours ago) · approx. 3:09 AM UTC+8 local
Aftershock of the M6.5 mainshock.
On July 3, 2026 at 19:09 UTC, a magnitude 4.8 shallow crustal earthquake struck 42 km SW of Balangonan, Philippines, at a depth of 59.8 km and coordinates 5.3374°, 125.0490°. This earthquake was detected by 48 seismic stations with good 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.
This earthquake is part of an ongoing aftershock sequence following the magnitude 6.5 mainshock that occurred 7 days ago 34 km WSW of Sarangani, Philippines. Since the mainshock, the USGS has recorded 37 aftershocks in this area. Aftershock activity is expected to continue for weeks to months as stresses on surrounding faults redistribute.
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
125.0490°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.8 earthquake near Balangonan, Philippines?
The magnitude 4.8 earthquake that struck 42 km SW of Balangonan, Philippines on July 3, 2026 at 19:09 UTC had a depth of 59.8 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at 5.3374°, 125.0490°, which is 42 km SW of Balangonan, 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.
Is this the same earthquake as the M6.5 one earlier?
No. This magnitude 4.8 earthquake is an aftershock of the larger magnitude 6.5 mainshock that occurred earlier 34 km WSW of Sarangani, Philippines. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes triggered by stress changes from the mainshock.
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: us6000t9zf). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, July 3, 2026). M4.8 Earthquake 42 km SW of Balangonan, Philippines — July 3, 2026. Retrieved July 3, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000t9zf/