M4.5 Earthquake 232 km SSE of Sarangani, Philippines — January 12, 2026
2026-01-12 21:33:13 UTC (2026-01-12) · approx. 5:33 AM UTC+8 local
On January 12, 2026 at 21:33 UTC, a magnitude 4.5 shallow crustal earthquake struck 232 km SSE of Sarangani, Philippines, at a depth of 47.7 km and coordinates 3.6294°, 126.5890°. This earthquake was detected by 37 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
126.5890°E
Technical Information
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Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.5 earthquake near Sarangani, Philippines?
The magnitude 4.5 earthquake that struck 232 km SSE of Sarangani, Philippines on January 12, 2026 at 21:33 UTC had a depth of 47.7 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at 3.6294°, 126.5890°, which is 232 km SSE of Sarangani, 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: us7000rp9f). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, January 12, 2026). M4.5 Earthquake 232 km SSE of Sarangani, Philippines — January 12, 2026. Retrieved May 12, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us7000rp9f/